Tip: no reputable business requires payment via such financial products

SALT LAKE CITY— Investigators in the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit report an increase in the number of victims who say they have been duped by fraudsters requesting payment for services via pre-paid money cards.

Detectives say as many as six cases a day are being reported in the city. They all have a similar theme: suspects represent themselves as collection agents from utility or government representatives—from power companies to tax collectors. The victim is instructed to load cash on a pre-paid money card, such as Money Pak/Green Dot, to clear a debt. Once the victim supplies the security code on the card, the suspect withdraws the money remotely and there is no way to get it back.

The public should be aware that no reputable agency instructs or demands payment in such a specific manner. If you receive such a call, hang up and call the agency based on contact information you trust.

A video on this and other financial scams may be viewed on our website:

https://police.slc.gov/chiefs-message-march-2014-financial-crimes-scams/

To share information about this or other criminal activity with the Salt Lake City Police Department, please call (801) 799-3000. To remain anonymous, text the keyword TIPSLCPD plus any relevant information to 274637. Reference: GreenDot.

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