Lookout for Scams:
On April 26, Circling the News reported a scam that involved a criminal who used an email address that looked accurate to the recipient, but was off by a letter or two. The bad guy convinced the recipient (a Palisades resident) to send him gift cards from Home Depot.
CTN asked other residents to let us know about scams and we would print them, trying to stay ahead of criminals. We promised and do promise not to use the scam victim’s identity, because we know most victims are embarrassed by their gullibility.
A reader wrote on April 27: “We received a call from a lady identifying herself as an employee of Citi Bank who wanted to verify the purchase of a computer on my wife’s Citi Bank credit card. The caller had my wife’s correct name, but we do not have a Citi Bank credit card. When the caller was informed that we did not have a Citi Bank card, she immediately hung up.”
Meanwhile, my husband’s credit union also put out this advice: Beware of emails impersonating legitimate health organizations trying to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as user names, passwords and other personal data.
“We’ve seen a rise in scammers spoofing our 800 number,” said the credit union, and it noted that it will never call to ask for the following information:
- Your online banking username and password
- PIN number, or the three-digit security code on the back of your card
- Your full social security number
- Any data on your credit report, like previous addresses
- A verification code sent to you to be repeated back on the phone.
If you get a call allegedly from your bank asking for that information, quickly hang up and call your bank directly.
(To see the most recent scams, visit:https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts)
Senior Lead Officer Michael Moore
Pacific Palisades Crime Report April 23 through 26
Pacific Palisades Senior Lead Officer Michael Moore reported the following crimes in his Monday, April 27 report:
BURGLARY THEFT FROM VEHICLE
April 24, 6:15 a.m. in the 1100 block of Galloway. The first suspect, a male Hispanic, 25 to 35 years old, 210 lbs. 5’10” with dark hair, and the second suspect, a male, 5’10” 180 lbs. entered victim’s vehicle and took sunglasses.
April 26, 11:30 a.m. to noon, in the 17300 block of Castellammare. The suspect entered victim’s vehicle and took money and a garage remote.
STOLEN VEHICLE
April 25 to 26, 9 p.m. to 11:30 a.m., in the 1000 block of Via de la Paz. The suspect took victim’s vehicle from a multi-unit garage.
TRESPASS
April 23, 8:05 p.m., in the 17300 block of Castellammare. A 39-year-old male was arrested for trespassing after entering victim’s property without permission.
To report a crime in progress, call 9-1-1. To report any non-emergency crime, call (877) 275-5273. A crime that has occurred may be reported in person at the West L.A. police station, 1663 Butler Ave. (Call 310-444-0702, or some crimes may be reported online.)