Nassau warns residents about phone scams

Nassau County officials are telling residents to be wary of telephone scams, including one that threatens foreclosure for unpaid taxes or termination of services for delinquent utility bills.

In a news release Tuesday, the county's public information office provided details of several phone schemes designed to fraudulently extract money from victims.

The callers claim to be federal employees or utility company employees and request payments be made using Green Dot prepaid debit cards or a wire transfer through Western Union, the release said.

In another scam, a caller claims a relative of the targeted victim is being held hostage or has been hurt in an accident and needs money.

Nassau County Crime Stoppers urged residents who think they might have been a victim of such a scam to call 911 immediately.

Anyone with information on such phone schemes can call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.