Recent Scams

Lake County has seen an increase in scams in the area. Read this so you can avoid being scammed!

A ruse entry burglary consists of two or more persons coming to a residence claiming to be from a utility company or local water/sewer department. These people tell the homeowner that there has been a problem in the area and they need to check their electric/water. One person will take the homeowner to a remote part of the home, usually the kitchen or basement, and will act like they are checking the electric/water by turning off/on the faucets or switches and will also be talking to the other person(s) by two-way radio or cell phone. While the homeowner is being distracted, the other person(s) are going through the home, usually bedrooms, where jewelry and cash are taken. When the burglary has been committed, the persons tell the homeowner they have to get tools or business cards from their vehicle and then leave.

Driveway scams are usually done in one of two ways. The first is in the same manner as a ruse entry burglary except the homeowner is brought outside to a remote part of the driveway by one person while the other enters the home taking jewelry and cash. The second driveway scam usually is directed to an elderly homeowner who is told their driveway needs to be sealed. These people will charge the elderly homeowner several hundred or several thousand dollars to put down a sealant that is more fuel oil than sealant and will wash away after one or two rains.

Tree trimming scams consist of two or more persons coming to a residence claiming to be from the electric company or have been hired by the electric company, and these people tell the homeowner that they need to trim trees on their property. One person will take the homeowner to a remote part of the yard pointing out what needs to be trimmed and they will also be talking to the other person(s) by two-way radio or cell phone. While the homeowner is being distracted, the other person(s) are going through the home, again usually bedrooms, where jewelry and cash are taken. When the burglary has been committed, the persons tell the homeowner they will be back later to begin trimming and never return.

The most recent monetary phone scams originated in Canada. This scam consists of a resident being called by a person claiming to be a relative who says he/she has been involved in a traffic accident or has been arrested in Canada. (These people obtain family tree information from various web-sites on the internet and are able to call family members by their correct names). The person calling says they need several thousand dollars to repair the rental car they were supposedly driving or for bond so they can be released from custody. The person usually gives the phone to another who claims to be a Canadian police officer and will direct the homeowner to obtain a money-gram and he will call back later for the money-gram transfer number. Another monetary scam is when a person calls a resident claiming they have won an international lottery and they need to wire transfer money so the winnings can be processed and then sent.

The Lincolnshire Police Department is requesting any resident that has anyone coming to their home with these types of claims: DO NOT LET THEM INTO YOUR HOME AND DO NOT GO OUTSIDE YOUR HOME. Close the door and immediately call the Lincolnshire Police Department at either 911 or 847.883.9900.

Any resident receiving these types of phone calls: DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY ADDITIONAL PERSONAL INFORMAION. hang-up and call your relative and then call the Lincolnshire Police Department on the Non-Emergency number 847.883.9900.