New Scam Targeting HV Residents Is Personal For Assemblyman

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A new scam is going the rounds in the Hudson Valley seeking victims by sending deceptive text messages falsely claiming they have unpaid parking tickets in New York City that require immediate payment.

One of the targets was the mother of Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown), who sent out an announcement cautioning residents to take the appropriate steps necessary to avoid this scam.

“Scammers are preying on the everyday concerns of our citizens, and this issue was luckily brought to my attention after my mother had received one of these text scams,” Slater said. “I urge everyone to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect themselves from these fraudulent schemes. By staying informed and cautious, we can collectively reduce the risk of falling victim to such scams.”

The Haverstraw Police Department also sent out an alert on its Facebook page.

Slater offered tips on how to protect yourself from this new scam:

• Verify Before You Pay: Always check the official NYC parking ticket website or contact the city's parking authorities to verify any claims of unpaid tickets.
• Be Cautious of Urgent Requests: Legitimate institutions typically do not request immediate payments via text messages.
• Protect Your Information: Never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited messages.

New York State Police offered more tips for scams in general someone calls or sends a message stating you need to pay for a crime or to protect yourself:

• Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
• Verify the person’s identity.
• Do not give out personal information (date of birth, social security, address, etc.)
• Don’t wire money, get cash out of a bank, or send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier.
• Report possible fraud at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Scammers use tricks, state police said.

• They impersonate. It’s surprisingly easy for a scam artist to impersonate someone. The internet and social media make it easier to sleuth out personal and family information. Scammers also could hack into the email account of someone you know. To make their story seem legitimate, they may involve another crook who claims to be an authority figure, like a lawyer or police officer.
• They play on your emotions. Scammers are banking on your emotions to outweigh your skepticism. Sometimes, they will try to involve your family and loved ones, stating they are in danger. Call the police and check with your family before giving in to their antics.
• They swear you to secrecy. Con artists may insist that you keep their request for money confidential – to keep you from checking out their story and identifying them as imposters. They will tell you to go to a bank and withdraw a large amount of cash and say it is for a family loan, vehicle, or vacation so it does not seem suspicious.