South Park police issue warning about postal money order scam
While most scams operate online these days, police in South Park Township are warning residents about a scam that’s going around the old-fashioned way — through the mail.
Some residents have reported getting a postal money order scam, the police department said in a post Tuesday morning on its Facebook page.
People targeted by the scam receive documents in the mail.
“The instructions are to deposit the check and then purchase some gift cards and call the codes in,” the post read. “A few days later the check bounces and you’re a victim.
“Even though the documents in this scam look very authentic, it is nothing but a scam.”
Police said residents should call them if they ever have a question about a phone call or piece of mail asking them to send money or gift cards.
“We would rather check into it for you rather than take a theft report,” the department said. “Recovering any money in these type of cases is rare.”
The South Park Township Police Department can be reached at 412-833-1000.
The U.S. Postal Service offers advice on how to spot fake money orders on its website. Those who suspect fraud can contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455; those who think they’ve been given a fake money order can call the Money Order Verification System at 866-459-7822.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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