Phone scams never disappear - they just hook new victims. Bogus calls that seem to be from tax man, the credit card lender, the grandkid in trouble, even the electric company remain consistent ploys, with new twists all the time.

Telephone (Tom Mongelli, Townsquare Media)
Telephone (Tom Mongelli, Townsquare Media)
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Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Grammiccioni warms that the classic cons are still circulating at the shore and across the country, and the con artists are honing their edges.

"The criminals associated with telephone and online scams are getting more sophisticated and approach consumers with enough legitimate-sounding information to seem credible, even to a savvy consumer," said Grammiccioni in a prepared release. "It's important for the public to be aware of these newest ploys so that they can be on guard to protect their identity and their bank accounts," Gramiccioni said.

IRS scam
It is tax season and one of the most common scams involves a caller posing as an Internal Revenue Service agent, claiming that back taxes are owed, often eventually demanding cash or threatening police action. The IRS doesn't operate this way. Don't give out personal data to someone who calls you. Instead, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your status. If you owe them, you'll hear by mail.

Credit card scam
This one's gathering steam nationwide, Monmouth officials said. The ruse is unusual activity on your credit account, and the goal is to get the card security code or card verification value (CVV), that little three-digit number on the back of the card.  Con artists now hit you with your address and other personal information, sometimes adding a case or control number, giving them an air of legitimacy. Then, they'll try to pull that number out of you. Fact is, the lender already knows the code and doesn't need you to verify it. So tell the caller that you'll contact the company to verify the conversation, then call the lender's fraud department.

Family member in need of help
The young voice in trouble far from home traps many seniors who respond emotionally and quickly. It's always about needing money, and sometimes involves accomplices who say they're lawyers or police officers.
"These unexpected phone calls always come unannounced," Gramiccioni said. "The voice on the other end of the phone claims to be a grandchild in a very low tone, there is concern in their voice as they inform you they are on some vacation you never heard about and that they somehow got arrested and are sitting in some jail in a foreign country. They need your help. They need bail money. They ask you not to say anything to anyone because they are embarrassed. Hang up and call a family member to try to verify the whereabouts of your grandchild.  Do not provide a credit card number over the phone in response to such a call."

JCP&L scam
Here's where the voice on the line threatens to cut off electricity, or even water, service unless you pay directly and immediately to settle a back bill. What's troubling, authorities said, is that the scammers often can manipulate caller ID to reflect an actual utility number. Payment is usually demanded in a prepaid card such as Green Dot. Again, go to the source. Hang up and call the customer service line of whichever utility it is, and check your account status.

If you have been the victim of a scam, call local police or your county Prosecutor's office: Monmouth County, 1-800-533-7443; Ocean County, 732-929-2027

 

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