HighlandIndiana
Highland Police Department – Crime Prevention
SCAMS AGAINST THE ELDERLY
Highland Police are reminding citizens of scams against the elderly where valuables are removed from the home by criminals posing as utility workers for the town. The scam artists appear with a request to check things inside a residence. All Highland Public Works employees wear badges with their uniforms and drive vehicles marked with the Town of Highland logo.
“If unknown subjects come to your door and you do not recognize them or they do not have proper identification, please call 911 immediately,” Highland Police Chief Pete Hojnicki said. “Be aware of suspicious vehicles or subjects and keep an eye out for neighbors, too!”
SCAMS TARGETING MERCHANTS
The FBI is aware of various scams pertaining to reloadable prepaid debit cards, but specifically wants to alert the public on a bomb scare scam targeting businesses.
One scenario is scammers call businesses and fraudulently represent themselves as a utility company employee advising the utility bill payment is past due. The caller claims the service will be terminated unless payment is made immediately. Acceptable forms of immediate payment are Green Dot “MoneyPak” cards purchased from a local convenience store or a valid credit card or bank account information. Once the account numbers from the MoneyPak, credit cards, or banks are provided, the scammer removes the funds associated with the MoneyPak or steals funds from the accounts.
A second scenario involves a scammer who calls in a bomb threat to a retailer and demands to speak with the manager. Instructions are provided to the store manager to purchase and activate Green Dot MoneyPak cards with $500 loaded on each card. The card numbers are to be read to the scammer over the phone. If managers do not comply, the caller threatens to blow up the store and threatens employees’ homes and families.
In all reported instances, no manager has complied with the caller, and no explosive devices have been found.
According to MoneyPak.com, Green Dot MoneyPak cards are convenient and easy to use and can be purchased at participating retailers. There is a $4.95 charge associated with the MoneyPak card, but after purchase, it can be used to “reload prepaid cards, add money to a PayPal account without using a bank account, or make same-day payments to major companies.” MoneyPak cards are similar to wire transfers and are untraceable.
INFO: To receive the latest information about cyber scams, go to FBI.gov and sign up for e-mail alerts by clicking on the red envelope labeled “get FBI updates.” If you have received a scam e-mail, notify the IC3 by filing a complaint via www.ic3.gov. For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI's “New E-Scams” and Warnings webpage at www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams.
Highland Police Department
Address
3315 Ridge Road
Highland, IN 46322
Non-emergency telephone
(219) 660-0001
HPD administration
(219) 838-3184
FAX
(219) 972-5095
Crime Victims
An integrated campaign to increase awareness about victims’ rights, educate the public about the impact of crime, and promote crime victim resources. Designed for three audiences—crime victims, volunteers, and victim service providers—crimevictims.gov provides a wealth of resources for each, including links to websites, publications, databases, and hotlines. The site intentionally mirrors the look and feel of the PSAs, "giving a face" to crime victims, volunteers, and providers through photos and brief testimonials. Click here to learn more.
Investigations
The Highland Investigations Division has general assignment detectives that investigate all types of crimes including homicides, rapes, robberies and thefts as well as hybrid detectives that work the streets. Click here to learn more.
Reporting Internet Crime
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Sex Offender Registry
The National Sex Offender Public Website is the only U.S. government website that links public state, territorial, and tribal sex offender registries from one national search site. Parents, employers, and other concerned residents can utilize the Website’s search tool to identify location information on sex offenders residing, working, and attending school not only in their own neighborhoods but in other nearby states and communities. Click here to learn more.
Stop Bullying
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying. Click here to learn more.