City leaders warn of possible scam after Richmond residents received letters in the mail
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Residents of Richmond are receiving letters in the mail from a scam program asking them to register their alarm systems for a fee.
Residents receive letters in the mail from a “Richmond False Alarm Reduction Program”. However, it is a scam.
Janice, a Southside resident, said she found one in her mailbox on Monday.
“I get a lot of spam in my mail,” Janice said. “I read it and it just didn’t make sense. None of this makes sense. ”
The letter attempts to notify residents of a so-called City of Richmond alarm ordinance requiring homeowners to register their alarm systems. To renew, residents are requested to complete a registration form and send money or a check. The alleged Richmond FARP program had a post office box located in Baltimore, Maryland. The program asks for five dollars to be sent to the Baltimore address. He also requests emergency contact.
“I guess they feel like they’d get a lot of money because it’s only five dollars and a lot of people will see it that way like I let myself send it.” I don’t want anything to happen to my system, ”Janice said.
Richmond Fire Marshal Earl Dyer called the program a “possible scam.” Dyer told 8News that a program like this should directly involve firefighters and that he is not familiar with any related programs, even in the state of Virginia.
Dyer said the department was aware of the letters and that they had been delivered to people’s homes, particularly in the Southside.
“The website was also crazy,” Janice said.
The website written on the letter says crywolfservices.com/RichmondVA.
Leslie Blackwell, director of public affairs for the Better Business Bureau serving Central Virginia, said alerts for Crywolf Incorporated, which is listed in Computer Hardware and located in San Diego, California.
“The letter looks suspicious, especially with a Maryland PO Box and CryWolfServices also looks suspicious,” Blackwell said. “We have seen a lot of scam letters for license renewals, scams by government impostors etc … the scammers never stop,” Blackwell said.
Blackwell told 8News that the crooks were also grabbing the Richmond, Va. Logo to use.
On April 30, 2015, the Better Business Bureau confirmed that Crywolf Inc had not obtained the necessary license from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services.
“I hope people see it and don’t send money and these people get caught, because it’s state-to-state and I think it’s considered fraud,” said Janice.
According to city councilor Michael Jones, who represents the 9th district on Richmond city council, many scams target the elderly. Jones and other city leaders recommend that residents call the City of Richmond if they receive any of these letters in the mail.
