Crime & Safety

South Pasadena Police Asks Residents to Beware of Internet Scams

The young and the old are particular targets.

The South Pasadena Police Department is warning residents to beware of Internet scams, which continue to occur with relatively high frequency.

In its latest Neighborhood Watch newsletter for January recently posted on the city website, the police department says that e-mail fraud targets the young and the old alike.

“Young victims have been victimized by responding to employment ads and elderly victims are sent solicitations that promise instant wealth,” reads the newsletter, adding: “In all of the scams, the victims lost money.”

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Residents should be suspicious of receiving checks accompanied by requests to deposit the documents in their personal bank account and then wire the money to an account outside the United States, according to the newsletter.

“Be sure to let the check clear before wiring or withdrawing any funds,” the police communiqué warns.

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Other key points to remember:

• Don't fall for any e-mail that promises “get rich quick” investment schemes, especially if you didn’t solicit them.

• Make sure to check the authenticity of any e-mails purportedly from relatives claiming to be out of the country and requesting financial assistance.

• Delete spam e-mails [preferably without opening them, in case they contain computer viruses designed to obtain your cyber information].


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