Palos Park, IL – The Palos Park Police Department is urging residents to remain vigilant as reports of scam attempts continue to rise across the community. Authorities say scammers are targeting residents through phone calls, emails, and digital payment platforms — often posing as law enforcement officers, government agencies, or utility companies.
According to the department, scammers have been requesting payment through gift cards, Bitcoin machines, or cryptocurrency platforms, and in some cases, engaging in investment or tech support fraud that involves remote access to victims’ devices or accounts.
Police warn that many scams are designed to create panic and urgency, pushing victims—especially seniors—into sending money through Western Union, wire transfers, or gift cards without verifying the legitimacy of the request.
Residents are encouraged to attend one of the department’s Scam Awareness & Prevention sessions on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., where officers will review the most common scam tactics and offer prevention tips.
To stay protected, police advise never to share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, avoid mailing checks from home mailboxes, and only use verified channels for payments.
“Stay calm and verify before acting,” the department emphasized, reminding residents that legitimate agencies will never demand immediate payment or use gift cards as a payment method.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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