Citizen Targeted by ‘Very High Pressure’ Phone Scam

Someone reportedly making fundraising phone calls on behalf of the Sleepy Hollow Police Benevolent Association was “pushy pushy pushy,” describes a Sleepy Hollow senior citizen who believes she was the target of a recent scam – twice.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she received two phone calls several days apart from persons who claimed to be raising money on behalf of the real group.

“They wanted my credit card information; they were very high pressure,” she said. She said she asked for a website URL to visit and make a donation online instead because she was “very suspicious.” The caller said they didn’t have one. Then she asked for a number that she could call back. They couldn’t provide her with a phone number. The number they had called from was a 914 area code that when she called back someone just said hello with music in the background.

A caller suggested she donate $75 – what they said was the average. “I gave them a song and dance about how I don’t have the money and they said I could make a smaller amount.” Then, she said, “they laid it on thick with ‘how can you not support the police; they put their lives on the line for you.’”

All of this, luckily, was unsuccessful. The woman got off the phone without “donating” and called the SHPD instead. While she didn’t lodge any formal complaint she did learn that the local PBA does not solicit by phone.

Tarrytown Police Chief Scott Brown also said their PBA would be sending out a mailing not calling for money.