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Orangetown Police Department Wants You To Know How To Recognize And Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams

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11 months ago

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BEWARE: PHISHING SCAMS

Phishing scams deceive people into giving away sensitive information by pretending to be legitimate organizations or businesses. Scammers use fake emails, text messages, or websites that mimic real ones, urging quick action through links or attachments. The data stolen through phishing is often used for identity theft or financial fraud. To protect yourself, verify the authenticity of unexpected messages, avoid suspicious links, and use strong and unique passwords.

RED FLAGS

These are common signs that you may be facing these types of scams:

Bank Impersonation Fraud

• You receive a text message, phone call, or email indicating that your account information has been compromised. They may ask for personal information like usernames, passwords, PINs, and Social Security Numbers to “secure” your account. They may also ask you to transfer funds using a P2P payment app, like Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle.

• Banks will never contact you and ask you to share sensitive personal information over the phone, via text message, or email. They will never ask you to transfer money to anyone, including yourself, or ask you to provide personal information to obtain a refund or issue a correction.

Debt Collection Fraud

• The person calling you says you will go to jail if you don’t pay the debt they are describing. It is illegal for debt collectors to threaten to have someone arrested for not paying their debts.

• The person calling will not tell you to whom you owe money. Legitimate debt collectors will always tell you who the creditor is, even if you don’t ask them.

• Legitimate debt collectors provide ample time to pay off your debt and will work with you. Scammers will pressure you to pay while they have you on the phone.

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Police/Fire/EMS

Haverstraw Police Conduct Proactive Credit Card Skimming Inspections Across Village

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2 hours ago

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January 20, 2026

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HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. — The Haverstraw Police Department, working in partnership with investigators from the Rockland County Intelligence Center, conducted a proactive operation Tuesday aimed at preventing fraud and identity theft within the community.

The operation took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and focused on businesses with publicly accessible credit card machines. Detectives and Community Resource Officers visited all gas stations in the village, along with numerous convenience stores and other retail locations where skimming devices could potentially be installed.

Using specialized skimming detection equipment, officers inspected more than 130 credit card machines throughout the Village of Haverstraw. Police reported that no credit card skimming devices were found during the inspections.

“These proactive inspections are about staying ahead of criminal activity and protecting our residents and business owners before they become victims,” said Haverstraw Police Chief John Gould Jr. “We will not sit back and wait for crimes to occur or for our residents to be victimized.”

Chief Gould emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and advanced technology in preventing financial crimes, thanking Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco for helping make specialized detection tools available to police departments throughout the county.

By using these tools, Chief Gould said, local agencies can take meaningful steps to deter fraud and prevent crimes before they occur.

Business owners who would like their credit card machines checked for potential skimming devices are encouraged to contact the Haverstraw Police Department at 845-354-1500.

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Police/Fire/EMS

Rockland County Sheriff Dispatchers Help Deliver Baby Girl During 9-1-1 Call in Spring Valley

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1 day ago

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January 19, 2026

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SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — A Rockland County Sheriff’s Communications Division dispatcher helped guide new parents through the successful delivery of their baby girl during an early-morning emergency call on Sunday, January 11.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a 20-year-old expectant mother went into active labor at home when the baby began to arrive before first responders could reach the scene. At approximately 4:31 a.m., the baby’s father dialed 9-1-1 and reported that the infant’s head was already visible.

James Sheridan, a Radio Operator I with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Communications Division, immediately took the call and calmly coached both parents through the delivery process. Following his instructions, the parents were able to safely deliver their daughter moments before police and emergency medical personnel arrived.

Spring Valley Police Department officers, Spring Hill Community Ambulance Corps, and Rockland Paramedic Services arrived on scene approximately six minutes later. The newborn baby girl and her mother were transported to Montefiore Nyack Hospital, where both were reported to be doing well.

Sheriff’s officials praised Sheridan’s actions, noting that he and all county radio operators are highly trained Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs), certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). Dispatchers regularly assist callers during a wide range of medical emergencies, providing critical instructions until help arrives.

Officials congratulated the new parents and highlighted the incident as an example of how teamwork between dispatchers and first responders helps protect and serve Rockland County residents.

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