Main Line Police Issue Warnings, Tips As Scammers Target Residents

EASTTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Police in Easttown Township are warning residents of scams making the rounds, while also offering tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.

According to police, several common scams are circulating the area, and some residents have been victimized.

Police said to perpetrate these schemes, scammers will claim their targets' computers are hacked, allege overdue PECO bills and overpaid antivirus software accounts, and that targets failed to appear for jury duty.

These alerts will show up via messages on computers and tell the targets to call a phone number.

Authorities urge residents to not call these numbers. Rather, anyone who gets such a message should search the company or organization and find their real customer service number and follow up with them, police said.

Additionally, police said targets may get a phone call or text message instructing them to call a number or click on a link for several reasons. Those reasons include credit being compromised, undeliverable packages, overdue PECO bills, failure to appear for jury duty, lapsed car insurance, back taxes owed to the IRS, and even winning the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes.

Again, police urge targets not to click those links, call the numbers, or continue speaking with the caller. Anyone who gets such a message should search the company or organization and find their real customer service number and follow up with them

"No legitimate businesses or government agencies want you to go to the bank and withdraw money for immediate payment," police said. "No legitimate businesses or government agencies demand payment by gift cards or Bitcoin. No prize contests or sweepstakes require the winner to put up any ‘front money’ to collect the prize."