The Oceanside Police Department is warning residents to beware of someone impersonating an officer over the phone and claiming to have a Publisher's Clearing House prize worth $100,000.
Police said residents have been receiving phone calls from a caller that introduces himself as Lieutenant Aaron Doyle of the Oceanside Police Department, telling the person on the phone that they have won $100,000. The caller then requests a $1,000 processing fee to clear the check in Mexico.
Police say in the last two months, more than 200 residents, mostly elderly, have been contacted by the scammer.
“They are preying on people that are usually on fixed incomes or are looking for that little edge that little leeway in their life,” resident John Fillipazzo said.
One man came to the department asking for Lt. Doyle and what he was going to do with his $1,000.
Though there is a police lieutenant named Doyle -- a 20-year veteran on the force, officials say he has nothing to do the scam.
The department does not notify residents that they are winners in any sweepstakes, including the PCH. Officers are also not allowed to engage in those activities off-duty and are not allowed to claim they represent the department in that way.
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“[PCH] will never ask you for money. They will never use the police department as a liason,” OPD Lt. George Darah said.
The PCH website said the organization has been victimized by scams in the past. The PCH Learning Center has these tips for residents when it comes to dealing with scams:
- We never notify winners ahead of time with a phone call
- We do not send friend requests or private messages to our winners on Facebook
- You never have to pay anything to claim your PCH prize. There are no fees, taxes, surcharges, activation fees or processing charges to claim your prize
- PCH does not send out emails telling people they have won.
The old lessons still apply. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Take some advice from a senior who also happens to be a retired cop: “If you just kind of keep your wits about you and you're not looking for the short cut, you won't get taken,” Fillipazzo said.
