Romulus police warn residents about phone, Facebook scams
Romulus Police have issued a warning regarding a common phone scam that targeted a local resident.In this incident, the caller claimed to be a representative of the Romulus Police Department and was seeking a public safety donation - by credit card, according to reports received by the department. The Romulus Police Department will never contact individuals by phone to request money or any other form of payment, officials said. Anyone who suspects they may have been a victim of this type of crime should immediately report it to the Romulus Police Department at (734) 941-8400.
Police officials cautioned residents to never share personal information or financial details over the phone. Ask the caller for their name and the department they claim to represent. Do not use any phone numbers provided by the caller for a return call but instead call the local police department they claim to represent, police officials said.
Romulus officers said they have also been seeing posts on a “friends” Facebook page luring residents to purchase items at low prices. The text usually includes a message like, “My uncle (friend, dad, etc.) just found out their (friend, dad, etc...) has cancer (died, has to go in nursing home, etc...) and is selling all of their (stuff).” This will be followed by pictures of all sorts of items priced way below market value.
Police said this is nearly always a scam and the Facebook account was likely hacked. The post includes instructions to use Apple pay, Venmo, gift cards, etc. to pay for the items. Police suggested residents verify with the alleged author of the post in-person or by speaking to them directly. Do not verify through text, Messenger, etc., officials cautioned.
“Remember,” officers said, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
