MAYVILLE, NY — The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services, has been made aware of multiple reports concerning fraudulent activities perpetrated by unknown individuals within our community.
Reports indicate that individuals are falsely representing themselves as representatives of the Department of Social Services, going door to door under the pretext of distributing free tablets and cell phones. These imposters are soliciting sensitive personal information, including social security numbers, Medicare cards, and electric bills from unsuspecting residents. It is crucial to emphasize that the Department of Social Services is not engaged in such activities, and residents are advised to exercise caution.
Additionally, another scam involves individuals claiming affiliation with Chautauqua County social services, coercing residents to sign paperwork to designate Social Services as their representative payee for social security income. Residents are misled into believing that failure to comply will result in the cessation of their social security payments. This deceptive practice deviates from the standard procedures of the Chautauqua County government and is unequivocally a scam.
While the majority of these incidents have targeted elderly residents, it is imperative for all members of the community to remain vigilant. Chautauqua County officials unequivocally assert that these activities are fraudulent in nature. We urge the public to promptly report any encounters with such individuals to their local law enforcement agency.
If you find yourself in a situation involving these suspicious individuals, please endeavor to gather a detailed description of the person or vehicle involved, if it is safe to do so, and promptly report it to the authorities.
Chautauqua County is committed to the safety and well-being of its residents, and we encourage everyone to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity promptly.
For further inquiries or to report any related incidents, please contact the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office at (716) 753-4232.
