The Fairfield Police Department is warning community members about circulating Bitcoin scams

FAIRFIELD — Chief Robert Kalamaras and the Fairfield Police Department want to inform community members about a Bitcoin scam circulating around Fairfield and share tips to help residents avoid falling victim to similar scams.

On Tuesday, Nov. 22, the Fairfield Police Department received a report from a resident that she had sent $7,000 in Bitcoin currency to an unknown account before realizing it was a scam.

The resident stated that she had received a call from an unknown man claiming to work for the fraud department of an online retailer. He stated that fraud was detected on her account and informed her that she needed to transfer her money to a Bitcoin account. The resident was then allegedly “transferred” to the Federal Trade Commission where she spoke with an officer who sent her photos of their alleged credentials.

The resident received another call from a woman posing as a Fairfield Police Officer advising the resident to do what was asked of her. The number used by the person claiming to be an officer spoofed the Fairfield Police Department number and had a Fairfield Police caller ID.

The callers then instructed the resident to send them a photo of her driver’s license and empty her bank accounts, claiming they were compromised. The resident then took money out of her accounts and deposited the money into a Bitcoin ATM at a location provided to her by the callers. The resident was also asked to withdraw $20,000 from her retirement accounts.

The resident was able to stop the withdrawal from her retirement accounts and contacted the state Department of Motor Vehicles to change her license number, but it is unlikely that the Bitcoin money deposited will ever be recovered. Residents should note that Bitcoin is a virtual encrypted currency and transactions are anonymous.

The Fairfield Police Department will warn residents who may receive similar calls not to send money and immediately report the call to the Fairfield Police Department at 203-254-4800.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following four signs to help people recognize possible scams:

• Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know. They can use a real name, such as the Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare, or make up an official-sounding name. Some pretend to be from a business you know, such as an energy company, a technology company, or even a charity asking for donations.
• Scammers say there is a problem or a prize. They may say that you are in trouble with the authorities, that you owe money, that someone in your family had an emergency, or that there is a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there is a problem with one of your accounts and you need to verify some information. Others will lie and say you’ve won money in a lottery or sweepstakes, but have to pay a fee to get it.
• Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may tell you not to hang up so you can’t check their history. They can threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They may say that your computer is about to be destroyed.
• Scammers tell you to pay in a certain way. They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back. Someone will send you a check (which will later turn out to be fake), ask you to deposit it, and then send them money.

Fairfield Police also remind residents that legitimate organizations do not solicit payment with a gift card, prepaid debit card or money transfer service. This should be a significant red flag. Prepaid debit cards and gift cards are not legitimate ways to pay for goods and services. They are untraceable and once funds are transferred, the money cannot be recovered.

In addition, residents are reminded never to give out their personal information, especially social security number, bank account or credit card number.

The FTC also advises that if you receive an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s genuine, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is reliable or look up their phone number. Do not call a number they gave you or the number from caller ID.

Report any suspected fraud or scam at ftc.gov/complaint or call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP. For more information about fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website or your state’s website.

###