08/20/2026
New Hartford Police Department:
“Scam Warning”
The New Hartford Police Department is warning residents about several sophisticated scams that have recently been reported in our community. These scams involve individuals impersonating bank employees, government officials, and other legitimate organizations in an attempt to gain access to victims' financial information and money.
In one recent incident, the victim was contacted by a person claiming to be a bank representative. During the video call, the victim was persuaded to allow the scammer remote access to their cell phone. This gave the scammer the ability to view the phone and watch the victim access various financial accounts in real time. The scammer then walked the victim through a series of transactions and withdrawals.
Your cell phone is essentially a small computer. Allowing an unknown person remote access to your phone can give that person the ability to see sensitive information, financial accounts, passwords, verification codes, and other personal information. Never allow an unsolicited caller to remotely access your phone or computer.
In another recent scam, a victim was contacted by someone claiming to be associated with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The victim was told that their personal information and Social Security number had been compromised and that money needed to be withdrawn from the bank to protect it.
The victim was instructed to withdraw a large amount of cash, place the money into a box, cover it, put the box into a bag, and wait for an alleged undercover agent to collect the money. The victim was eventually instructed to hand the cash over to individuals who arrived at the residence.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
No legitimate government agency or law enforcement agency will ask you to:
• Withdraw large amounts of cash to "protect" your money.
• Put cash in a box, bag, or envelope for an agent to collect.
• Leave cash outside your home or at another location.
• Send cash through the mail.
• Purchase cryptocurrency to protect your money.
• Give a stranger access to your banking or financial applications.
• Stay on the phone while they walk you through your accounts or financial transactions.
Scammers will often create a sense of urgency and tell you that you must act immediately. Do not allow yourself to be rushed into making a financial decision!
If you receive a call like this, hang up. Do not provide personal information, banking information, passwords, verification codes, or access to your financial accounts. If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, speak with a trusted family member or friend before taking any action. You can also contact your bank directly using the phone number on the back of your bank card, statement or contact the police department for assistance.
If you didn't initiate the contact, don't trust the contact. Verify it independently. Many of these scams are perpetrated by individuals or organized groups operating outside the United States, which can make identifying, locating, and prosecuting those responsible extremely difficult. When scammers are operating outside the United States, local law enforcement agencies may have limited ability to directly apprehend those individuals. This is why prevention and recognizing the warning signs are so important.
Please share this information with your family, friends, and especially elderly or vulnerable members of our community.
