The Plano Police Department issued a warning regarding a new scam known as the “in-person money drop,” which has been circulating both locally and nationwide. In a post shared on the department's official Facebook page, authorities outlined how the scam targets victims through fraudulent claims made by individuals pretending to represent a legitimate business or financial institution.
In this scam, suspects contact the victim, posing as representatives from the victim’s bank or another trusted company. They claim the victim either owes money to the business or that their funds need to be secured to protect against fraudulent activity. To carry out the scam, the victim is instructed to make a large withdrawal from their account and meet with a supposed business representative or law enforcement officer to hand over the funds for "safekeeping." The scammers often arrange for the exchange to occur in person, a tactic that poses significant danger to the victims.
The police department emphasized that while this scam has been reported in Plano, it is part of a broader scheme spreading across the country. Authorities warn that these in-person meetings can be extremely unsafe.
In their advisory, the Plano Police Department provided key guidance for residents to protect themselves:
- Do not agree to meet with individuals privately to hand over money, whether at your home or another location.
- If a request for such a meeting is made, insist that it takes place at your local police department, with an officer present to oversee the transaction.
- If they refuse to meet at the police station, it is almost certainly a scam. Do not give in to any threats or intimidation tactics.
- If they do agree to meet with you, you should immediately contact your local police department. Law enforcement officers can arrange to meet with the victim and assess whether the proposed transaction is legitimate, ensuring the individual's safety.
In a further warning, the Plano Police Department highlighted an alarming rise in additional scams following their social media post. As the post contains specific keywords, bots, scammers and spammers have begun flooding the comments, claiming they can help victims recover lost money. Do not engage with these individuals. This is also part of the same fraudulent network, attempting to scam victims again by pretending to offer assistance.
The department advises that these scammers often use intimidation tactics, such as threatening to garnish wages or promising to fix the situation. Ignore them. These threats are not legitimate. If you are unsure, consult a trusted source such as a family member, banker or law enforcement officer before taking any action.
Victims are urged to report any suspicious interactions to their local police department, by staying vigilant and aware, residents can protect themselves from this growing threat.
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