The Reno Police Department is reminding people of the dangers of fraud and other financial crimes for International Fraud Prevention Week, which started on November 12th and runs through the 18th.

The RPD's Financial & Computer Crimes Division offers the following tips to residents to prevent becoming a victim:

  • Never install any software you did not look for.
    • Scammers will ask victims to install chat apps or other software. This will either give the scammer access to their device or could even help hide the scammer.
  • Do not respond to unsolicited contacts (emails, texts, etc.)
    • Scammers can send unsolicited text messages. If they try to create a friendship or romance, it is most likely a scam.
  • Never send funds through a cryptoATM.
    • CryptoATMs are commonly used for drugs and fraud. They have a terrible exchange rate and high fees that end up only sending about 2/3 of the value you put in 
  • Law Enforcement does not ask you to send funds to pay a warrant.
    • Some victims are tricked into believing they have a warrant. They will send cash or cryptocurrency to not be arrested. Law enforcement will never ask for money to avoid going to jail. 
  • Do not buy gift cards and tell someone the codes.
    • Scammers will tell people to take cash from their bank and buy gift cards. It is much harder to track the gift cards than it is to track other funds.
  • If there is an extreme urgency or seclusion it is best to call someone for help.
    • Scammers will tell victims not to call police or notify their bank to seclude them. They will also tell the victims that they should send money as soon as possible.
  • If it seems too good to be true it probably is.

Residents who think they could be a victim of a scam or other form of fraud should contact the Reno Police Department.

Just this week, RPD warned residents of a scam involving a man who approaches victims in store and gas station parking lots.

The scammer talks the victims into paying him large sums of money in exchange for jewelry which turns out to be counterfeit.

Anyone with information on this scam can call the Reno Police Department's non-emergency line at (775) 334-2188. They can also contact Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.