Crime & Safety

Police: Watch out for Fraud Scams

The NTPD are warning Northampton residents to avoid "work from home" scams.

Though the economy is still rocky – the unemployment rate went back up to 8.3 percent in March – local police warn residents this is the time to be the most vigilant against fraudulent activity. 

From a recent alert issued by the Northampton Township Police Department and www.fraud.org, here are some of the most common work-from-home scams:

  • Advance-fee: Starting a home-based business is easy! Just invest a few hundred dollars in inventory, set-up, and training materials, they say. Of course, if and when the materials do come, they are totally worthless, and you're stuck with the bill.
  • Counterfeit check-facilitated "mystery shopper":  You're sent a hefty check and asked to deposit it into your bank account, then withdraw funds to shop and check out the service of local stores and wire transfer companies. You keep a small amount of the money for your "work," but then, as instructed, mail or wire the rest to your "employer." Sound good? One problem: the initial check was phony, and by the time your bank notifies you, your money is long gone and you're on the hook for the counterfeit check.
  • Pyramid schemes: You're hired as a "distributor" and shell out big bucks for promotional materials and product inventories with little value (like get-rich quick pamphlets). You're promised money for recruiting more distributors, so you talk friends and family into participating. The scheme grows exponentially but then falls apart-the only ones who make a profit are the criminals who started it.
  • Unknowing involvement in criminal activity: Criminals – often located overseas – sometimes use unwitting victims to advance their operations, steal and launder money, and maintain anonymity. For example, they may "hire" you as a U.S.-based agent to receive and re-ship checks, merchandise, and solicitations to other potential victims without you realizing it's all a ruse that leaves no trail back to the crooks.

And how can you avoid these?

Find out what's happening in Northamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Be suspicious for transactions that require money up front for instructions or products
  • Don't distribute personal information during your first interaction with a prospective employer
  • Do you own research to determine if they are a legitimate work-at-home opportunity through local resources
  • Ask plenty of questions; legitimate employers will have answers

 

If you think you've been the victim of a work-at-home scam, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or contact the toll-free helpline:   1-877-382-4357.

Find out what's happening in Northamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.