Senator Golden Issues Alert to Residents Regarding Suspicious Attempts to Commit Acts of Fraud in Brooklyn

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is alerting local residents to two scam attempts brought to his attention which sought to obtain personal information for the purposes of fraud.

One resident yesterday reported a phone call from someone claiming to work for the Kings County Clerk’s Office threatening that failure to provide personal information would result in the termination of their Social Security benefits. Personal information requested included a marriage license, and when the local resident refused to give information, the person left a telephone number to return the call which was affiliated with the County Clerk’s office.

Senator Golden’s office has reported this matter to the Kings County Clerk’s Office and the Inspector General of the Office of Court Administration will be notified about this incident.

Another area resident reported today door to door visits from people claiming to be part of the Verizon preparation for FIOS. These individuals also are requesting significant personal information under the guise of Verizon, who states the company never sends people soliciting door to door. Verizon has been notified of this incident by Senator Golden’s office.

“I bring these two incidents to the attention of the neighborhood in an effort to alert people and prevent identity theft and fraud. The alarming reality is that there are people looking to prey on our residents, especially our seniors, in an attempt to open fake credit card accounts, withdraw money from banking accounts, and more. Identity theft has become the number one financial and consumer crime, causing individuals to lose their good financial standing and credit ratings,” said Senator Marty Golden.

Senator Golden has pamphlets available in his office entitled, “Special Report to Consumers, Protect Yourself From Identity Theft”. To obtain a copy, please contact Senator Golden’s District Office at (718) 238-6044 or via email at golden@nysenate.gov