The Jewelers’ Security Alliance is asking jewelers to be wary of callers pretending to be from their alarm company after an incident in a store in Pennsylvania.

According to JSA vice president Bob Frank, in early January, employees of a chain store received several phone calls from someone who claimed to be an employee of the store’s alarm company. The caller asked for the retailer’s alarm password—which, ultimately, was not provided. It was later discovered the call did not originate from the alarm company.

“Fortunately, nothing happened, but the possibilities are obvious what could happen if the store gave out its alarm information,” Frank says.

Frank says he has never heard of this kind of ploy before, but says that anyone who has experienced it should contact the JSA.

And while the store reported the incident to police, he doesn’t know if it was investigated. “It depends on their workload. This is a non-crime,” he says.

“Never give out your confidential/sentimental information about yourself or your business unless your originated the call,” warns JSA. “If in doubt, just say no.”

JCK