Montclair Police Warn of Ongoing Phone Scams After Resident Defrauded of $1,100

Montclair Police are again reminding residents to be aware of ongoing phone scams involving GreenDot money cards after a township 24-year-old was recently defrauding of more than $1,100.

According to police, a person who claimed to work for a company issuing loans and grants contacted the victim on May 28. The caller said the victim qualified for a grant, but needed to forward a processing fee through a GreenDot money card, police said.

The victim purchased a money card from CVS and provided the caller with the numbers and redemption codes, police said. The victim was ultimately defrauded of $1,164, police said.

"Residents are again reminded that if contacted by someone claiming to represent a company requesting payment, that resident should first contact that company and verify the request," a police statement said. 

Suspicious calls should also be reported to the Montclair Police Department before any transactions are made.

There have been similar ongoing phone scams involving callers claiming to work for PSE&G and the IRS who demand immediate payment with money cards.