GRANTSVILLE — Michael McCloskey was the guest speaker at the most recent meeting of the Greater Grantsville Business Association on July 26.Known to the community as one of the owners of JTF, McCloskey is also the Crime Analyst for the Cumberland Police Department.He noted that working JTF events around the area has highlighted some issues in the community and as residents of the Western Maryland area, McCloskey and his wife Ronda Johnson saw a need to work with local police departments to help monitor and curb the local drug problems and fraud issues within the local counties.“With over 40 years of combined service to the intelligence community, we figured our experience would help local and state police assets in the area,” McCloskey said.He noted that over the past eight months, there has been a steady increase of fraud that has affected many of the residents in the Western Maryland region.“There are different ways that frauds have been occurring in the local areas: Check fraud/identity theft, phone and social media scams,” he said.“Fraudsters are easily able to create a fraudulent drivers license, or often a new passport card, with someone else’s personal information on it and assuming the victims identity.
Once the fraudulent ID is made, the fraudsters will cash fake checks and ask for an account balance.
Once this information is obtained, the fraudsters will withdraw additional funds and depart the area before the real account holder is aware of the transaction.” McCloskey stated that the fraudsters have access to personal information, account numbers and bank information.“They have access to a robust network of fake ID making capabilities and are very professional when dealing with local banking institutions,” he said.The Cumberland Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies are working closely with financial institutions and their fraud departments.“Bank tellers in the area have been doing a great job of checking IDs and have stopped many transactions before it was too late,” McCloskey said.
“Remember, if you think an ID is a fake, it probably is.” Another approach noted is that fraudsters are using scams, which mainly target elderly citizens and present themselves as Federal Government Agents or as security reps from large corporations.The caller will inform the victim of a fraud on their account or that they are in debt to the government and will be prosecuted if fine is not paid.Fraudsters will pressure the victims into buying gift cards or crypto currency for “payment.” “Large corporations and the federal government will never contact you via phone call and request payment via gift cards or crypto currency,” McCloskey said.“If you receive an email or a phone call like this, immediately delete or hand up.” Other tips offered were: • Review financial accounts, social media and email accounts to ensure they are locked down and only people you know can see what you post, share or have access to your accounts.
Make sure to keep everything as safe as possible and change your passwords routinely.• Check on young and old family members and make sure they are aware of different types of fraud and let them know they can talk to you about any fraud they have become a victim of.Some people are embarrassed by the fact they were scammed and will not report it.• If you find yourself or a family member to be a victim of fraud, do not be embarrassed.
It happens to many people.Contact your financial institution immediately, and your local police departments to file a report.McCloskey also reported that JTF Free Kids Camps at Grantsville Park are averaging 45 campers per day.Local restaurants like Cornucopia Café, Penn Alps and the Casselman have been providing lunches for the kids at the camps.
JTF camps will continue until mid August.There will be no GGBA meeting in August, and the next meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m.Wednesday, Sept.27, at Penn Alps near Grantsville..
