PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PHONE SCAMS

Across the nation, phone scams continue to pop up all over.  One scam we continue to see is the phone call to our senior citizens, often called the “Grandparent Scam” or “Money for Bail” scam.  The scammer is calling in the overnight hours and claiming to be the victim’s grandson or granddaughter.  The scammer says they have been involved in a bad traffic accident in another state or have been arrested and they need money.  They ask for hundreds of dollars to be sent or wired to them to help get them out of trouble.  The Police department wants to remind everyone of these ideas to keep you from being a victim of this type of a scam, as well as other types of scams:

• Do not wire money to anyone unless you are absolutely sure it is someone you know and trust. Once wire funds are picked up, there is little law enforcement can do.

• Do not purchase gift cards and provide card number information over the phone or via email.

• Don’t send a check, cash, or money order or give out your account information to anyone insisting on immediate payment.

• Don’t let anyone rush you into making a decision. Take your time to ask questions and gather information about the product, contest, company, or charity and ask for written information to be sent to you. Scam artists typically will not take the time to provide this.

• Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state Attorney General, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.

And always remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.