When Judy Carino received a notice in the mail letting her know she had a $50 jewelry item waiting for her, she knew something wasn't quite right.
The postcard looked like something you might see a legitimate package carrier hand out but after seeing she needed to pay for shipping by calling a number to hand over her credit card information, the word scam came to mind. Out of curiosity, Carino called the 1-800 number while making sure to block her own number.
"[The woman who answered] said, 'It's a customer appreciation gift.' I asked, 'Can you tell me where it's from?' She says, 'We don't know. We're just the agent that delivers,'" said Carino. "'Well, if it's a gift, why are they making me pay the shipping?' She got a little confused at that point and didn't know what to say."
After hanging up without giving any personal information away, Carino passed along her scam concern to the senior center. She worried scammers would target the elderly. Soon after, South Windsor police got involved.
"It helps us get the word out to everyone that this type of scam exists and you may want to watch out," said South Windsor Deputy Chief Scott Custer.
Police say it's the first time they've come across this particular type of scam but say it's one that's already hit other states, and they worry it's not the last time they'll see it in Connecticut.
"People have either gotten nothing for their money, they've had their credit card mis-used, or they got some plastic trinket in the mail," Custer said.
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Carino hopes by passing along her experience, it will help others avoid becoming a victim.
"Your personal info is just that: personal. And it needs to stay that way," said Carino.
If you receive one of the mailers, police say it's best to just throw it away. If you're unsure if something is a scam, you can always call the police department.
