NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
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ALPENA COUNTY - The Michigan State Police (MSP) Alpena Post is urging citizens to beware of scams. We are seeing a rise in online and phone related scams. Most of these scams originate from sources overseas, and this greatly limits our ability to recover funds and locate suspects. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), they received 880,418 complaints with potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion in 2023. Many of these scams are designed to create a sense of urgency, persuading an individual or business to provide financial information or a form of payment. The FBI advised when the public reports incidents to the IC3, they provide valuable information that helps fill gaps crucial to advancing their investigations.
Frequent scams being reported to the MSP Alpena Post.
- Computer anti-virus scam: A message will pop up on your computer screen advising your computer has been infected with a virus. There will be a number to call, and they may request information about your financial accounts, or request you purchase a gift card, and provide the information on the card. They may also ask for remote access to your computer.
- Threatening emails: You receive an email from an anonymous source informing you they know sensitive, or possibly embarrassing information about you. They may list your name and address, and say they know where you live as a scare tactic. The scammer will usually request money through bitcoin, or a gift card, or request information about your financial accounts.
NEVER make payments to someone through cash apps, or with gift cards, unless you know them.
NEVER give out your banking, or personal information over the phone or to unknown online sources.
NEVER click on links from suspicious emails. If an email states your account (amazon, eBay, etc.) has been compromised, go directly to the company’s site or app to login.
If an Alpena area business or organization is interested in learning more and would like a fraud/scam presentation, contact Tpr. Kunath, (989) 354-4101, or email, [email protected].
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