A 19-year-old female reported to police that she is an online member of care.com, an on-line babysitting organization which matches parents with babysitters. She was contacted by a person apparently posing as a possible client via email. After several messages the complainant received a fraudulent check. She was told to deposit the check, keep $500 and wire the remainder to a third party. The complainant contacted the Arlington Heights Police Department thinking the situation was a scam.
The Babysitter Scam is a common scam when an offender sends a check considerably more than the amount discussed with the babysitter. The babysitter is told to deposit the check and quickly wire the excess back to the supposed employer or some other party. After a week or so, the check proves to be counterfeit, but the victim is responsible for the value of the check written to the scammer. The checks from the scammers are often written on non-existent accounts
Anyone having information about this or any other serious crime in Arlington Heights should submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword 847AHPD and your message to 847411(tip411) or call Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
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