Collegeville Police offer support to residents targeted by scams

The Collegeville Borough Police Department is reminding residents — especially older adults — that they are not alone when it comes to protecting themselves from online fraud and phone scams.

From phishing emails and fake tech support calls to sweepstakes schemes and government imposters, scams are on the rise across the country, and Collegeville is no exception, according to the borough's website. 

Seniors are especially vulnerable due to their potential financial resources, increased trust in others, and sometimes limited digital experience.

The good news? Help is just a phone call — or a walk to Borough Hall — away.

If you or a family member receives a suspicious phone call, email, or text message, the Collegeville Police Department encourages you to reach out before taking any action. Officers are available to help determine whether the message or website is legitimate, and it's far easier to stop a scam before it happens than to try to recover stolen funds or data afterward.

Residents can contact police at (610) 489-9332 or visit the police department at Collegeville Borough Hall for assistance.

Common Scams to Watch Out For

Phishing Attacks: These often appear as emails or texts from trusted sources, like banks or retailers, tricking people into clicking harmful links or sharing personal details.

Tech Support Scams: Fraudsters pose as representatives from companies like Microsoft or Apple, warning of supposed computer problems and trying to gain remote access or solicit payment.

Business Email Compromise (BEC): These scams involve impersonating company executives or vendors in an attempt to convince employees to transfer funds or share confidential information.

Other popular scams include:

• Fake Online Stores: Promising products that are never delivered or vastly different from advertised.
• Romance Scams: Often beginning on social media, where scammers build fake relationships to eventually request money.
• Government Impersonation: Callers pretending to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare threaten penalties or promise benefits in exchange for sensitive information.
• Lottery Scams: Claiming you have won a prize — but asking you to pay upfront fees to claim it.
• Malware Attacks: Links or pop-ups that install harmful software to steal data or damage your computer.

Collegeville Police remind residents they are here to help. If something does not feel right, it probably is not right. Do not click it, do not respond, and do not give out personal information. When in doubt, check with police first.