Woman scammed after caller "spoofs" Police Department phone number

 

           Buffalo Grove Police are cautioning residents about a scam that apparently “ghosts” or “spoofs” the Police Department’s non-emergency phone number.

This comes after a resident reported that said she gave $1,500 to what she was told was the “Federal State Commission.” Reports say the caller, who said her name was “Emily Edward” had apparently compromised the resident’s personal information and told the resident that she would need to pay $1,500 to clear her name or there would be a warrant for her arrest issued.

When the resident began to question the call, the caller said she would have a Buffalo Grove Police officer call her.

A short time later, the resident got a phone call from someone identifying himself as “Sergeant Harper” with badge number 901 calling from the nonemergency phone number (847-459-2560) for the Buffalo Grove Police Department. Seemingly satisfied, the resident called the original caller again and was instructed to purchase three $500 gift cards at Target, which she did.

            There is no Sergeant Harper on the Buffalo Grove Police Department and the phone number had been ”ghosted” to make the call seem legitimate.

            Police officials say residents who are concerned about receiving a phone call from the Buffalo Grove Police they believe to be a spoofed call, should confirm the caller’s identity by hanging up, and calling the actual non-emergency number, (847-459-2560), and requesting to speak with the officer who made the call. This way, police officials say, if the call is legitimate, they can be connected. If it is an attempt to scam the resident, they can be guided down the correct path by the desk officer who will provide residents information about filing a report if needed, and other ways to protect their identity, and avoid potential fraud.

** Loud music complaint unmasks other issues – Police responded to a complaint at Versailles Banquets in the 100 block of north McHenry Road. Management told police that since they had a 2 a.m. liquor license, they could stay open until 2 a.m. While that may be the case, police said it didn’t provide provisions for loud music. But wait, there’s more. Responding officers noted that three of the waiters serving customers outdoors were not following the 6-foot social distancing guidelines, nor were they wearing face coverings. Officers also noted that there were customers not wearing face coverings standing around an indoor bar. The manager on duty said he was not aware of the state’s Phase 3 guidelines.

** Bogus unemployment claims reported – Buffalo Grove Police report three cases of residents receiving notice of unemployment claims that they didn’t file. In one case, a Buffalo Grove resident said he received a letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts informing him that a fraudulent claim for “pandemic unemployment insurance” had been filed in his name. The man knew it was a fake because he’s retired, has never lived in Massachusetts and has never worked there. A third complaint of fraudulent unemployment claim was by a resident on June 24. Reports say the woman received notification of the fake filing on June 18. In the report, the resident says on June 21 “…ABC or NBC evening news informed me that fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance are being made and they recommended contacting the local police, FBI, and IL Department of Employment Security.” She contacted IDES and then the Buffalo Grove Police.

Good night Chet, Good night David.

** More fraud reported – In addition to bogus unemployment claims, scoundrels continue to prey on some Buffalo Grove residents. Buffalo Grove Police report three fraud cases in the past week. In one case, a resident said the mailing address for her benefits was changed to an address in Niles. The resident contacted Social Security Administration officials who could not explain how the switch occurred. In a second report of fraud, a resident told police her father received a call from a man “with an Indian accent” who said he was from the Social Security Administration. The caller, who said his name was “Clyde Walton” told the man, with his daughter listening in, that the man’s Social Security Account had been compromised and action was needed. When the man’s daughter wanted more information about Clyde the caller, he became angry, told the woman to “shut up,” and then hung up on her.

** When you’re over 40, the police notice – A Glenview man is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court July 15 after allegedly driving 89 miles per hour in a 45 mile-per-hour speed zone.

Reports say Lukasz Stalica, 26, told officers that the car was imported from Japan and had the steering wheel on the left side, and that he was confused because the car’s speedometer was listed in kilometers. Reports also indicate that Stalica was allegedly intoxicated. Police say that upon exiting the vehicle, Stalica was reminded by a female passenger to, reports say, “pull up his pants,” which he reportedly did before lowering his face covering. Reports says officers noted a strong odor of alcohol. After failing field sobriety test, he was taken to the Buffalo Grove police department where, reports say, he was “was disruptive,” and used inappropriate language, insulted the desk officer and was condescending towards officers.

Reports say Stalica bragged about “how much money he made and how he allegedly beat up a friend whom he just bonded out of jail for a gun offense. Stalica allegedly told police his arrest was “just a big waste of his time,” and that he “didn't believe drinking and driving should be illegal unless someone was injured or killed.”

He was charged with DUI, speeding in excess of 40 miles over the posted speed limit and driving without a valid driver’s license.

After processing, reports say Stalica was “picked up by Lyft,” which must have been an interesting ride.

            ** When you least expected, you’re selected – A resident who lives in the 400 block of Gardenia Lane, contacted police about the location and angle of his neighbor’s security camera and lights. Officers checked and found that they were located and positioned in what reports said was a “reasonable manner for home security.” The resident said he had tried to speak with his neighbor, but, note reports, “… but their relationship has deteriorated since the stay-at-home order.” Maybe they should have both stayed inside.

            ** Tires slashed – A resident in the 700 block of Grove Drive reported damage to all four tires on his truck June 20. Reports indicate that two tires were flat and two had lost a significant amount of air. The tires are valued at $800.

            ** The falling leaves – A resident in the 600 block of Grove Drive contacted police because he was upset with the maintenance firm that cleaned the gutters on his building. The man reportedly told police that while the firm was cleaning the gutters, they threw “whirlybirds” on to an area where the man plants flowers, an act he said was intentional.

            The Department’s botanical brigade checked and found that there were “whirlybirds” on the ground by adjoining units. The resident said that was because the maintenance crew threw them toward those units as well. The man was told by police that yard maintenance is a homeowners’ association issue and that he should discuss it with them. That’s called a subtle hint.

            And, if you must know, whirlybirds are also commonly referred to as “helicopters,” “whirlers,” “twisters” or “whirligigs.” Technically known as samaras, they are the winged seeds produced by maple trees. So there.

** Stupid is as stupid does -- Buffalo Grove Police report one arrest for DUI, two for driving without a valid driver’s license, one for driving without insurance, one for driving an unsafe vehicle and one for operating a motor vehicle without a muffler.

Community Updates

Park District reopening facilities

            The Buffalo Grove Park District has announced that many of its facilities are set to reopen.

According to the Park District, most facilities reopened Monday, June 29, with the exception of the Fitness Center, which will reopen Monday, July 6.

            In a news release, the Park District said “personnel are currently removing the caution tape that has been placed on the playground equipment throughout the community. For safety reasons, we ask that members of the public do not use any playground equipment until the caution tape has been removed; and, please do not remove any caution tape. Please also maintain social distancing; and, we recommend wearing a facemask if other people are also using the playground.”

            A new program guide for July is was released Monday, June 29, with registration starting the same day. Programs will begin on July 6. The guide and updated information are available at BGParks.org.

Libraries announce July programs

            While the buildings remain closed, the Indian Trails Library District and Vernon Area Public Library have announced programming for July.

Indian Trails Library information is available at indiantrailslibrary.org while the schedule for programming at the Vernon Area Public Library can be found at www.vapld.info.

Residents skeptical of TIF district

Concerns about development near homes, on the Buffalo Grove Golf Course and valuation of a proposed tax increment financing district highlighted a public hearing on the proposal June 22. According to a report in the Daily Herald, “proponents say the TIF district is needed to revitalize an area that has lacked economic growth and features numerous vacant business spaces.”

The Village Board is expected to vote on the proposed TIF district at its July 20 meeting.

Vernon Township hikes assistance for residents in need

The Vernon Township Board has approved increased funding for general assistance and lower eligibility requirements for emergency assistance to township residents due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

“We recognize the difficult times many of our residents are living through, given the COVID-19 and the subsequent recession,” said Vernon Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg. “We hope that these changes can help.”

The availability of one-time emergency assistance will change from once every 18 months, to once every 12 months, and income limits will increase to allow more to qualify for emergency assistance.

Previously, a family of four applying for a $1,000 emergency assistance grant would require monthly income under $3,342. That threshold has now been raised to $5,941.

General assistance monthly disbursements for qualified residents will increase from $315 to $500 per month.

Complete information is available at this link.

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Woman charged with child endangerment

Buffalo Grove Police noted a slight increase in activity during the past couple of weeks, attributing it to warmer weather and a relaxation of state-mandated restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

            Even with the increased activity, officials say the number of calls is “still not to the level as in past years.”

            Reports made available by the Buffalo Grove Police for the past week include:

            ** Woman charged for leaving children unattended in car -- A 36-year old Deerfield woman faces on charge of child endangerment after police say they responded to a complaint about a child being left unattended in a car at Woodman’s, 1550 E. Deerfield Parkway. Reports say when officers arrived, they found two children, ages 5 and 1, inside the vehicle. Reports say the children were sweating heavily. Police were able to gain access to the vehicle and place both children in an air-conditioned police vehicle.  Paramedics were called to check the children, but they did not transport them to a hospital.

            The children’s mother told police she left the children in the car “because of COVID-19” and brought them with her because the children’s father, reports say, was working at home and “constantly taking phone calls.”

            The woman is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on June 24.

            ** You are what you do – A Northbrook woman told police her car was damaged by stones coming of a dumpster being transported by a Mundelein waste and recycling company. Police reports say the woman was told by the firm to have her own insurance handle the claim. Police didn’t have much better luck as reports indicate that when officers contacted the firm, they refused to provide officers with information or have the driver come to the station to file a report. Sounds like trash talkin’ from the trash hauler.

** Two reports of deceptive practice – A Buffalo Grove woman reported to police that she wired $173,000 to a paralegal firm that was allegedly handling a home purchase. The woman was contacted by her bank to learn that the email she received was fraudulent. Police reports indicate that the woman was working with her bank to have the wire transfer cancelled. She was also told to contact the FBI in addition to the BGPD. 

            In another deceptive practice complaint, a Buffalo Grove man reported to police that placed an ad for a cardio-fitness machine on an online sales site and received a check for $1,800. While this sounds like a good deal, the man was only asking $250 for the machine which, to no surprise, made him wonder. Police reports say the man was told by the perspective buy to cash the check, keep $450 and return the remainder of the money. The man did not cash the check, nor did he send the item to the buyer, which means he’s not out any money and can still workout at home.

** And they found his luggage tag on the bottom of pile garbage -- Honestly. Police report that a Buffalo Grove man was accused of “fly dumping” after a village employee noticed, say reports, “personal belongings and luggage that were discarded in the village contracted dumpster marked for metal only.” So how did the police know who did it?  According to reports, the employee provided police with a “luggage tag found among the belongings” which included his name, address and telephone of the man who tossed the trash on the fly. But wait, there’s more.

Reports say police contacted the man’s wife who told them she would “inform her husband he needs to come and remove the trash and dispose of it elsewhere.” No reports if he found another pile if garbage in a dumpster or if he was on his way to go fly fishing. And if you must know, according to UrbanDictonary.com, fly dumping is defined as “The act of throwing your garbage in someone else's trash to hide where the garbage came from.” Fact checking is a wonderful thing. 

** Next time let ‘em play through – Buffalo Grove police officers responded to a complaint of four golfers drinking being “disruptive” to other golfers on June 12. According to reports, the foursome was “being loud, throwing golf clubs at other golfers, using profanity and driving their golf carts recklessly. A course ranger reportedly warned them once but they were less than cooperative. A short time later, the subjects were reported to have flipped a golf cart on its side. Reports say golf course management confronted the foursome, but “was cursed at by the golfers.”

When told police were being called, they four fled with their clubs, which was probably a challenging thing to do.

Reports indicate that police found four sets of clubs near the entrance to Willow Stream Park. Police were able apprehend three of the four who were issued trespass warnings. The three nabbed by police were picked up by one of the golfer’s mother, who had to drive from Kenilworth to pick up the three and four sets of clubs.

As for the fourth golfer? He’s a 21-year-old from Winnetka, California (yes, California). The little varmint.

** ID thefts – Police report two cases of ID theft. In one, a resident reported that a Disney credit card was opened in his name with a $300 charge on it. In the second case, a resident reported that an unemployment claim was filed in her name. The woman told police that for some reason, much her mail was being delivered to a house across the street from her home. One of the misdelivered pieces was a letter from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that said the woman owed them $2,146.

** Scams reported – A resident said he received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration who said several large wire transfers were made using his Social Security number. The caller then switched the call to someone claiming to be with the Drug Enforcement Agency who said $230,000 was transferred from Texas to Mexico and then to Columbia.

At this point, the man said he was transferred to someone who said he was with the Department of Treasury who requested that the resident buy gift cards from – remember, this is someone from the Department of Treasury – Mariano’s.

The resident did not give out any personal information.  Reports do not indicate if the ‘Department of Treasury’ wanted coupons as well.

In a second scam, a resident reported that he was contacted by someone claiming to be a Comcast employee who told the resident Comcast had accidentally deposited a $2,320 refund into the resident’s bank account and requested the resident repay Comcast by using – ready – gift cards. Police advised the resident that it was a scam and to monitor his accounts.

** Liquor theft report – A manager at the Jewel contacted police about two people who smelled of alcohol apparently stealing bottles of liquor from the store’s liquor department. The manager was unable to identify exactly what was taken.

** Copper wire swiped – Nearly 500 feet of copper wire was reportedly stolen from a construction site in the 250 block of Aptakisic Road. The wire has a value of $200.

** Hitting the roof – Police nabbed three males who, for lack of anything better to do, climbed on to the roof at Meridian Middle School. No charges were filed.

** Equipment stolen -- Landscape equipment valued at $3,600 was stolen from a contractor’s truck while he did work on Oak Creek Drive. Items reported missing included six leaf blowers and four hedge trimmers. The items were inside a trailer that was unlocked while the crew worked.

** Recycling bin swiped – A resident in the 500 block of Weidner Road reported their recycling bin was stolen. And if you must know, it was full at the time.

** Salad swiped from Bucky’s – An employee at the Bucky’s Mobil station and convenient market reported a theft – not of gas or automotive supplies – but of two Caesar salads and a turkey sub. The salads had a value of $5.49. There was no value placed on the sub. The manager told the police that the individuals suspected of the theft are “regulars” – which you would think would make it easy to apprehend them. Reports did not indicate what kind of dressing was on the salads or if the croutons were regular or premium.

            ** No art with the deal – Police reports say a man was trying to sell art in front of a smoking shop on Buffalo Grove Road. He was asked to leave which he did.  But wait, there’s more.

            ** No art with the deal, part deux – Police reports say a man was trying to sell art in front of a store on Buffalo Grove Road. When police arrived, he was at his car rolling a cigarette with rolling papers he had just purchased from a smoking shop. He was asked to leave, which he did. If you haven’t figured it out yet, it’s the same guy in the previous item. Rather than leave the shopping center, he just moved a couple of stores down to try and sell his art. Seriously.

            ** Suspicious person – A restaurant owner on south Buffalo Grove Road old police he saw a suspicious man peeking in the windows and lurking around the front doors, while the business was closed. After reviewing surveillance video, the restaurant owner told police the man apparently wrote "piss off" on the glass windows, after spitting into his gloved hand.

** Suspicious vehicle – A resident in the 600 block of Caren Drive reported to police that a man knocked on her door and wanted her to open it for unreported reasons. The woman said the man left in a red pick-up truck with gray stripes. Police were unable to locate either than man or the truck.

** Misaddressed – A resident in the 1100 block of Selwyn Lane reported to police that a rather terse note was left by her front door. However, the people mentioned in the note do not live at the residence where the note was left.

 

Stupid is, as stupid does

            Buffalo Grove police last week issued five tickets for DUI, five tickets to persons driving in a revoked license or not having a valid drivers license, one for not having insurance and one for speeding more than 40 mph over the posted limit.

 

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