Pocketbook Drop
A stranger, usually a woman, opens a conversation with you in the street. Shortly after, another woman appears with an envelope containing a large sum of money that has just been found. You do not get a chance to examine the money. The question of what to do is discussed and resolved, when one stranger states she works for a lawyer and she will ask him what to do. She leaves and returns, stating that the money was from a gambling, and was lost by someone trying to avoid taxes. Her boss said she must share the money equally with them, but they must show they have money of their own.
The first stranger will say she has an insurance award with her, she leaves to show it to the lawyer, returns and states he gave her one third of the found money.
They instruct you to go to the bank and withdraw cash. The woman who works for the lawyer says she will take your money to him. She returns saying the lawyer wants to talk to you. He is counting your money. You follow directions to his office, only to find he does not exist, you return to the spot you left the stranger and find they are gone. You have given your money away.
Be alert for a female working alone using a canvas bank deposit bag who has the victim speak to her boss over the phone.
The Bank Examiner
He will usually call women on the phone and use a title from a bank or Police Department. He will tell you some accounts at the bank, even yours show large withdrawal and he suspects a dishonest employee. Your cooperation is requested to trap the thief. The examiner will ask you to go to the bank and withdraw money from a certain window. You are told to put the money in an envelope and give it to the examiner or his partner when they approach you. They tell you the money will be redeposited by them, and you can return to the bank in a few days to have your book adjusted. You make the withdrawal, give the envelope to the agent, who identifies himself to you in the bank.
In a few days, you return to the bank for adjustment of your bankbook and find that there are no irregularities in any of the accounts. You have given your money away.
THERE ARE NO CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR ANY LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY WILL ASK YOU TO WITHDRAW ANY MONEY FROM A BANK OR SURRENDER YOUR VALUABLES.
TV Swindle
Complainant receives phone call, usually at place of business, from male who says he was given complainant’s name by building maintenance man, elevator operator, doorman, etc. Male caller has color TV sets, stereos, video tape machines, etc. for sale, either stolen or overstock. He will sell this wholesale. An appointment is made for that afternoon or the following morning. The complainant is told to meet the caller with a car or truck at the loading dock of a retail department store. At the loading dock, complainant is told by male to back vehicle up to platform. The male takes money from complainant, goes into the loading area and does not return.
The Home “Repairman”
Beware of the phony “repairman” or “engineer” who offers to check your chimney, furnace, catch basin or other installation.
Such a person might say he has just completed a job in your area and has enough material left to fix your roof, or black tar your driveway–he must be paid in cash–job is done with black oil that never dries.
Beware of phony inspectors who check your chimney, heating, plumbing and find damage that must be repaired to save your house. He will offer a contract for a down payment–he never returns.
Beware of Topsoil salesman–you purchase buckets of it, the man spreads it for you and you later discover it to be sawdust colored by used motor oil.
Examine the credentials of the phony, “Con Ed” or Gas Company, Meter readers–make sure they are from that company before you admit them.
If your auto is damaged and men come to you and offer to fix it for a low price–you will later find that the damage has been repaired with plaster and one coat of paint which will fall off when riding over a bump.