September 16, 2025

Information and Tips – Document Shred Event at Mount Vernon Station

Please read this community message from Officer Greg Kotteman with the Mount Vernon District Station:

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to let everyone know about a document shredding event in February here at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center to benefit Fairfax County Crime Solvers.  Also, see below the signature for information on the latest financial/identity theft scam.

Please see the flyer below

While the event is free, donations are being accepted and are welcomed – to support the very important mission of the Crime Solvers program.

CommunityShredFlyer

Remember – one important step in prevention of Identity Theft is to make sure you shred any documents which contain any personal of financial details, are applications to open or extend credit, old bills/invoices or old tax returns.

Police Warn Public of “Inheritance Scam”
 
            Fairfax County Police (FCPD) has received numerous reports from residents across the U.S. involving a phony inheritance proclamation.
These typically arrive in the form of an unsolicited email announcing that the recipient has been awarded a multi-million dollar inheritance but they must contact a FCPD police investigator in order to claim the funds. Presently, the scammers are identifying themselves as authentic FCPD personnel and using official email addresses, phone numbers and street addresses in order to appear more convincing to the victim.
The Financial Crimes Unit is aware of at least a dozen reports that have taken place since January 10, 2013. Detectives warn residents that due to the potential international origin of this scam, there is little that can be done to re-claim funds that have already been wired: DO NOT WIRE MONEY based on instructions received in unsolicited emails.
The FCPD does not send unsolicited emails concerning inheritance, monetary funds, or transactions. If someone receives these emails, they should delete them immediately and do not open any files associated with the email.
If anyone has questions concerning the validity of unsolicited, suspicious emails requesting monies to be wired or personal information to be sent, that appear to be from the FCPD, contact police.
If someone within Fairfax County has already sent money involving this scam, report it through the Financial Crimes electronic reporting site.
It seems new scams and cons are coming out all the time. ALWAYS scrutinize incoming e-mail which asks you to provide personal information, financial information, passwords, challenge question answers or promises of sums of money or merchandise. If you have any doubt…take a minute and ask a friend what they think….or get in touch with the company/group/individual, at a number YOU know is theirs and not one provided in the suspect e-mail.
 
Would your group, citizen association, HOA or other entity like to have an informational session about Identity Theft and strategies to combat it?
Or perhaps on the topics of personal safety, home security or any other crime prevention / police  related topic?
If so, please contact me via e-mail –  gkotte@fairfaxcounty.gov

Be Safe,

Greg

MPO Greg Kottemann
Crime Prevention Office
Mount Vernon District Station
Fairfax County Police Department
703-360-8928
gkotte@fairfaxcounty.gov