• Untitled designTaylorExtra Patrols
  • Vacation Watches
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • Bicycle Registration
  • Bicycle Safety Rodeos
  • Child Seat Inspections
  • Talks/Tours
  • Youth Explorer Programs
  • Crime Stoppers
  • National Night Out

Scam prevention

The Galesburg Police Department warns citizens to be aware of email/internet scams, and telephone solicitation scams. Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of a scam and cyber fraud:

  • Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
  • Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
  • Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Scan the attachments for viruses if possible.
  • Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
  • Always compare the link in the e-mail with the link to which you are directed and determine if they match and will lead you to a legitimate site.
  • Log directly onto the official website for the business identified in the e-mail, instead of “linking” to it from an unsolicited e-mail. If the e-mail appears to be from your bank, credit card issuer, or other company you deal with frequently, your statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper contact information.
  • Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify if the e-mail is genuine.
  • If you are asked to act quickly, or there is an emergency, it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly.
  • Verify any requests for personal information from any business or financial institution by contacting them using the main contact information.
  • Remember if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

GRANDPARENT SCAM

Please be aware that the "Grandparent Scam" continues to be a problem. Senior Citizens are being targeted by scammers calling them and pretending to be a grandchild in distress. The caller may say things such as: "do you know who this is?'" or “this is your favorite grandchild." The scammers also may say "hi grandma," hoping that the person will have a grandchild. The caller may say they are in jail, they have been a victim or a crime, or their car has broken down and need money to get it repaired. In some cases they may know the names of certain relatives of the senior citizen and use the names in the conversation. The scammers usually ask that the money be sent to services such as Western Union and MoneyGram because they can pick it up quickly. Please be wary of unsolicited contacts to wire money and check the caller’s telephone number. If a caller tells you a family member is in trouble, and that they need a wire transfer of money to help, contact the family member directly or contact another family member to confirm the story that was told.

LOTTERY OR PRIZE SCAMS

Scammers will call or email congratulating you on being a winner with an ask for an upfront payment for fees and taxes. Similarly, a scammer might ask you to pay money in advance to get sweepstakes prize winnings.

DEBT COLLECTION SCAMS/DEBT SETTLEMENT AND RELIEF SCAMS

Most debt collectors will contact you to collect on legitimate debts you owe. But there are scammers who pose as debt collectors to get you to pay for debts you don't owe or that have already been paid. Do not give any personal financial information until you can verify the debt. Debt settlement companies say they can renegotiate, settle, or in some way change the terms of a person's debt to a creditor or debt collector.

TELEPHONE SCAMS

Telephone scammers try to steal your money or personal information. Scams may come through phone calls from real people, robocalls, or text messages. Callers often make false promises, such as opportunities to buy products, invest your money, or receive free product trials. They may also offer you money through free grants and lotteries. Some scammers may call with threats of jail or lawsuits if you don’t pay them.