FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio — More often than not, online and over-the-phone scams involve attempts at quick cash by the perpetrator. However, Fairview Park police recently came across a case that reportedly spanned several months.
In late February, a Fairview Park resident came by the police department to report that he had received several suspicious phone calls purported to be from a well-known rental car company. The caller told the resident that he had rented a car in another state and that the rental vehicle had been damaged, the police report states.
The resident told the responding officer that he initially flagged it as a scam since he had never been to that particular state nor had he rented a car recently, the police report states. The resident also reported receiving letters stating that he owed money to the rental car company.
Months later, the resident said he started receiving phone calls from someone purporting to be from a crediting agency or debt collection agency acting on behalf of the rental car company. The caller reportedly told the resident that he owed $950, according to the police report.
Sue McConnell, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Cleveland, said the report contains several hallmarks of an imposter scam as well as a debt collection scam. In many cases, the suspects will claim to be from well-known and reputable companies in an effort to come across as more legitimate.
“You need to be very careful and very leery if you…
