$24K Stolen From Older Residents Targeted By Scammers In Marin County: Police

NOVATO, CA — Several older adults reported to police Wednesday in Novato that they were targeted by con artists, including one claiming to be the police department, who stole tens of thousands of dollars, police said.

The Novato Police Department said that on Tuesday they learned that four older adults were scammed and one of the swindlers had claimed to be calling from the NPD, demanding thousands of dollars in fines.

Two of the victims had a combined $24,000 taken from them.

Police said these scams have become commonplace.

The NPD shared some of the most common tactics scammers use, including:

• The Grandchild in Trouble Scam: Scammers, often posing as a grandchild or other family member, contact victims with an urgent request for money to cover emergencies like bail or medical expenses.
• Government or Law Enforcement Impersonation: Scammers impersonate a government agency or police officer. They will tell you that you owe money to resolve a serious matter, such as an outstanding warrant, a tax problem, or a case of identity theft.
• Fake Bank or Financial Institution Calls: A caller, impersonating your banker, falsely claims your bank account is compromised. They then instruct you to "protect" or move your funds, often suggesting methods like using a courier or purchasing gift cards to transfer the money.

Although these scams take various forms, their purpose remains the same: to deceive victims into sending money or divulging personal information, enabling criminals to steal their funds.

Police advise those who are targeted to talk about these scams, as awareness is the best defense. Never send money or gift cards to someone you don’t know personally. Verify first: if someone claims to be a relative, government agent, or bank representative, hang up and call the business or agency directly using a trusted phone number. Report suspicious calls or messages to law enforcement immediately.