Sheriff Hilliard would like to provide some tips on types of scams and what you can do to keep yourself from becoming a victim. “Share this with everyone you know so we can spread the word,” says Sheriff Hilliard “too many people in our community have had their identity stolen by giving out information to a scammer. Some have lost thousands of dollars and we want to do all we can to help prevent our community from becoming victims.”
Do you know anyone that has received a Scam call? If you have a phone the answer is probably ‘YES’. You probably even know someone who has fallen victim to the words of a scammer. Scammers have many tactics to lure you into their particular scam, whether it is a promise of money, prize or a threat to you or a family member. We have even had scammers, posing as a bail bondsman, to call on behalf of your loved one who is in jail. Usually the person who is supposed to be in jail does not live near you, and you want to do what is best for them.
The latest new scam that has been reported to our Sheriff’s Office is targeting businesses. Scammers are making contact usually by phone but may expand to use email. They are asking to make a large purchase from your business and will provide you with a credit card number over the phone to pay for the order. The transaction will go through and the money will usually show a pending deposit into your account. Then someone will come, and it could be from a legitimate trucking company but just as likely they have planned this out and will have someone ready to pick up the items. Turns out the credit card information was stolen and the credit card companies will stop payment on the money before it hits your account or they will debit it back out of your account if the deposit has been made. Business owners will then be out the money and the merchandise with no way to track where the merchandise went or who the actual person was that placed the order.
BELOW IS SOME INFORMATION THAT MAY HELP YOU TO RECOGNIZE A SCAM CALL AND NOT FALL VICTIM TO THEM.
PRIZES/LOTTERIES/SWEEPSTAKES
Scammers call to say you have “WON” whatever prize they have chosen to tell you, money, cars, trips etc. All you have to do is pay this fee, tax, shipment cost. Prizes do NOT cost money! If you are paying fees to win something, then you are losing (your money). There is never a cost to receive a prize!
THREAT OF BEING ARRESTED
Scammers call saying they are with some law enforcement or government agency, and threaten to have you arrested, fined, deported etc. They say you must pay whatever debt, taxes, judgment against you, at this very moment or your local law enforcement will be at your door today to arrest you. Scammers are trying to scare you into giving your financial information/money. No law enforcement or government agency will ever call and threaten you into giving them your account information or money over the phone!
OFFER TO GOOD TO BE TRUE BUT YOU MUST MAKE A DECISION RIGHT NOW
Scammers will offer you timeshares, trips, cash prizes but you must decide and pay right now the fees, taxes, shipment cost, etc. Don’t be so excited or be pressured into making a hasty decision. Think about it, take your time, and ask for a written offer with specifics. Legitimate businesses will always be happy to provide you with a written offer to read the fine print and give you time to make a decision!
DO NOT EVER SEND CASH OR PAY WITH A GIFT CARD
Scammers ask you to pay in many ways, almost always with no way for you to ever get your money back. They will ask you to wire money, buy a gift card to give them the numbers from the card, get a prepaid card or a reloadable card, using money transfer apps or even send cash. If someone asks you to pay for goods, services, taxes/fees by any of these methods, it is a scammer trying to take your money!
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION/ IRS AGENCIES
Neither the Social Security Administration nor the IRS will call you to ask you to verify your social security number over the phone, unless you have made contact and ask them to call you. Never give any sensitive information to someone who calls you unexpectedly.
ROBOCALLS
To receive a Robocall, the company calling you needs written signed permission. Calls of this nature, without written permission, are illegal! If the scammers are using this tactic, they are breaking the law, so there is a good chance anything they are saying or requesting is a scam!
NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
If you are on the National Do Not Call Registry you should not receive live sales calls from any companies you have not previously done business with. If you are receiving live sales calls and your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry, this is an illegal call. At the very least, this may be a company that you do not want to handle your business!
This is by no means the only scams out there. We hope it helps our community to stay safe and not be a victim. Question anyone who calls you unexpectedly and wants you to give them any type of sensitive information.
THINGS TO REMEMBER TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FALLING VICTIM TO A SCAMMER
- Never give out sensitive information (Social Security number, bank account information, gift card numbers, or your credit card numbers, etc) to someone who calls or emails you unexpectedly.
- Do not ever be pressured to making a decision in the moment, take your time and ask for written information about the offer.
- Do not sign any paperwork or contract that you do not fully understand and agree with the terms.
- Never pay money to win a prize/lottery/sweepstakes or even to obtain a loan.
- Do not respond to mail or emails you may receive asking you to deposit money into your bank account with a promise that you will receive a portion of the money for the help.
- Do NOT cash a check that you receive in the mail unless you expect it. If you believe the check is legitimate, call the company it shows it is from and ask questions! These checks are fake!
- Do NOT ever wire money out of the country, even if you have spoken to the person on the phone.
You can check out a Company Using the Attorney General Josh Stein’s Consumer Protection Division At 1-877-5-No-Scam Before You Do Business with Them!!
Stay safe and protect yourself from becoming a victim!!