Suffolk Notebook: County Warns of Telephone Scams

Suffolk County police this week said they have received an increased number of reports from locals who received calls asking them to wire money to relatives — a scam.

Police said the caller pretends to be acting on behalf of a family member who is supposedly in trouble, asking for the money to be wired while never disclosing where the family member actually is.

"In one scenario, the caller claims that they have just been in a motor vehicle crash with a relative of the victim who refuses to pay for the damage. The caller claims to be holding the relative at gunpoint until the victim pays several thousand dollars. Other scenarios may include the caller claiming a family member of the victim has been arrested and needs money for bail, or a family member owes someone money. The victim is asked to withdraw money from an ATM and the caller will guide them to an institution where they can wire money," police said in a statement.

The scam was first reported by police earlier in the month, but police said they are reissuing the warning due to reports that the scam is still targeting communities.

Suffolk Economic Council Comes to Life

The county this week announced that Astoria Federal Savings Bank Executive Elizabeth Custodio will serve as vice-chair of Suffolk's recently formed Economic Development Committee.

The committee, chaired by Babylon Town Industrial Development Agency chief Robert Stricoff, will advise County Executive Steve Bellone on economic development initiatives meant to spur job growth in the county.

“Elizabeth Custodio’s career in business and successful tenure at the Suffolk County IDA demonstrate that she understands the needs of the business community and how government works,” Bellone said in a statement. “Elizabeth and Bob will be trusted advisors to help make recommendations on policies to create jobs and improve Suffolk County’s economy.”

Custodio will step down from her IDA role.