On July 14, 2020, at approximately 4:45PM, a Claremont resident received a call from a subject posing as a Federal agent who told the victim that her Social Security number had been compromised.

In order to clear her name the victim was instructed to withdraw money from her savings account, convert the money to Bitcoin and then transfer the funds into another account. The suspect said that failing to cooperate would result in “Officer Vander Veen” issuing a warrant for her arrest. The victim complied with the suspect demands and transferred a large sum of money.

It is not unusual for scammers to use names they find on local law enforcement websites to make the scam sound more legitimate. In this case they appeared to have may have discovered that Claremont’s Police Chief is Shelly Vander Veen.

Law enforcement including Claremont Police Department or federal agencies will not call and request that you transfer any money or request Bitcoin.

If you receive a call you feel is a scam, never provide your personal information, including your full name, social security number or bank account information. The scammers making these calls sound very convincing, so if you receive one, hang up the phone and contact your local law enforcement.