Madison Police report scammers stealing gold from residents in parking lots | The Locally Times
Madison Police report scammers stealing gold from residents in parking lots
## Fraud Mechanics The Madison Police Department issued an alert on June 11, 2026, regarding a fraud operation involving impersonators of the Social Security Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Bullion Depository. The perpetrators send text messages and phone calls containing digital images of forged federal credentials to convince residents that their Social Security numbers are compromised. The scammers instruct victims to withdraw their bank savings and convert the cash into physical gold bullion. Per the June 11, 2026, incident report, the scammers arrange for couriers to meet victims in public parking lots to collect the gold. The Madison Police Department confirmed these courier-based handoffs occur, though the records do not specify the number of victims or the total dollar amount stolen as of June 13, 2026. ## Official Guidance The Madison Police Department states that no government agency requires citizens to move funds to secure personal accounts or threatens to freeze assets during an investigation. Federal agencies do not instruct citizens to purchase gold or other commodities to assist with legal matters. The Social Security Administration does not text pictures of badges, demand secrecy, or threaten to seize bank accounts. ## Police Activity The Madison Police Department received 618 calls for service between 6:00 a.m. on June 10 and 6:00 a.m. on June 11, 2026. In the following 24-hour period, ending at 6:00 a.m. on June 12, 2026, the department received 475 calls for service. These figures exclude parking complaints and 911 misdials. The department has not identified specific neighborhoods targeted by the couriers or confirmed the apprehension of any suspects as of June 13, 2026. ## Key Questions **Will the government ever ask me to buy gold to protect my bank account?** No. The Madison Police Department confirms that federal, state, and local law enforcement will never instruct citizens to purchase gold or move funds to keep accounts safe. **What should I do if I receive a text message claiming my Social Security number is compromised?** Do not engage with the sender. You should block the number, ignore any threats regarding account seizure, and report the interaction to the Madison Police Department. **Are there specific areas of the city where these gold handoffs are occurring?** The Madison Police Department has not identified specific neighborhoods or businesses being targeted by the couriers, though they confirm the exchanges are occurring in public parking lots.