The Catskill Chronicle

MONTICELLO, NY (Febriary 20, 2011) – On February 18, 2011, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office received two reports of suspicious activity targeting local businesses. Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff is asking local businesses in the County to remain vigilant.

The scam is being perpetrated by telephone. A caller will contact a business owner, place an order for a large amount of goods or services and pay for it with a credit card. The caller then asks the merchant to tack on an extra $500 or $1000 dollars, keep a couple of hundred bucks for themselves and send the rest via Western Union to an address outside of Sullivan County. 

“Anytime someone you have never met mentions Western Union or Money Gram, and they want you to add extra money on a credit card above the cost of the merchandise, that should throw up a red flag”, said the Sheriff. 

Detectives believe the scam artists are using a local business list to make their calls.

“We know times are though and business owners would jump at a chance to make a large sale”, said Schiff. “We ask that you proceed cautiously, and if you have any doubts, call us”.

The Sullivan County Sheriff can be reached at 845-794-7100.