Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Is Public Safety Crime Center a Scam Letter Notice?

The "Public Safety Crime Center" (PSCC) notice is an aggressive and misleading marketing tactic used by private companies, rather than an official government or law enforcement agency. These letters are sent to consumers who have recently purchased a vehicle, pressuring them into purchasing expensive, unnecessary anti-theft tracking subscriptions.

A PSCC Notice Sample

"We hope you have been enjoying your vehicle so far. You have not yet contacted us to receive your complimentary anti-theft pre-programmed wireless tracking. Without active tracking on your vehicle, police and law enforcement agencies will not have access to track your vehicle through the public safety crime center network in the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen. You are leaving your vehicle “AT RISK” Of not being recovered in the event of a theft.

We are waiving the $388 fee to cover the cost of your anti-theft materials when you register on or before the expiration date of ……

Important

Registration is required for your vehicle’s complimentary wireless tracking!"

How the Scam Works

  • Data Scraping: Private companies purchase public vehicle registration records to identify recent car buyers, creating official-looking mailers tailored to the exact make and model of the buyer's car.
  • Misleading Wording: The letters use intimidating, capitalized law enforcement terminology to create a false sense of urgency, claiming you are at "risk" if you do not register.
  • The Bait and Switch: They offer a "complementary" or "free" tracking device, but actually charge exorbitant activation fees (often around $250 to $400) and require you to sign up for expensive monthly monitoring subscriptions.
  • No Real Value: The "Public Safety Crime Center Network" is not a government agency. In many cases, these companies rely on third-party hardware or software, meaning your car is no safer than it would be with the factory-installed tracking apps already offered by major auto manufacturers (like HondaLink or Hyundai Bluelink).

If You Received a Letter

  • Ignore It: Treat the letter as junk mail or a marketing scam and discard it.
  • Check Your Car: Do not call the provided numbers, as doing so only verifies your phone number and interest, leading to more aggressive sales pitches.
  • Verify with Your Dealer: If you are actually interested in vehicle tracking, contact your auto dealership directly to see what safety features are already included with your purchase.
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