SCAM AND FRAUD UPDATE: MORE NEW WAYS TO TAKE YOUR MONEY!
Published on August 07, 2024
We want to make all residents aware of the latest in the long list of scams and frauds attempting to steal money from unsuspecting folks.
SURVEY SOLICITATION
It's very easy to become a victim of this type of scam. We all like to do surveys, right? Well, scammers know that, and they use e mail, text, social media posts or a phone call to get their foot in the door. You might be contacted by what you believe to be your bank, your wireless phone carrier, or some big-name retail company asking about customer experience and satisfaction. During the current election season, you may get texts to take a survey on your chosen party or individual candidates. They may promise you a prize for participating, with a shipping fee of course. Most likely, they will ask you for some type of personal or financial information or ask you to click on a link (don't do it) or call a certain number for your "prize confirmation" (don't do it).
Protect yourself, know what to look for:
A survey that offers some type of expensive gift (cruise, iPad, etc)
A survey that asks you to enter your Social Security number, a credit card, or bank information (to pay shipping or processing fees, etc)
A survey request with poor grammar, spelling, or word choices (likely from someone overseas, not versed in English)
Always check the sender's e mail address (watch for those from Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc rather than directly from the company)
Do an online search to see if there is a current scam on the survey you have received
NEVER: click on the link in the e mail or text, open attachments, give out any personal or financial information, or call back a number they give you (also, your caller ID can fool you, because scammers can manipulate it to show the name of a legitimate company).
MONEY MULE
This is relatively unfamiliar to many, but it's increasing in use. One way is through advertising for work-at-home jobs (you can make thousands of $$, be your own boss, make your own schedule, etc). The phony employer will offer to send you money (perhaps by check) and then ask you to send some of it to someone else (a "client" or "suppliler"). First, the check is likely fake...you thought it cleared but it can take your bank several days to verify funds, and when they can't, you have to pay back all of that money. Meanwhile, you thought it was good and so you sent money to someone you don't even know....many times, you are helping criminals move stolen funds to someone else, to avoid detection by the government or law enforcement. You are a "money mule".
You can also become an unwitting money mule by sending funds to a love interest you met online who claims they love you and need you to help them get funds to someone else. Or you might be asked to send money so that you can collect a bigger prize you have won (but you never entered the contest). Bottom line: criminals make up reasons they need you to help them move money to others, and that money is likely from an innocent scam victim, so you are hurting folks just like you.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CALL
No matter how many times we warn people, we get calls from residents who thought YCSO (or some other law enforcement agency) called them and threatened arrest if they did not pay up for a phony fine they forgot to pay. The scammer will likely use the name of a real YCSO employee to gain your confidence and will ask you to pay the fine by Bitcoin, wire transfer or with gift cards. Your money can never be recovered. They may give you another phone number to "verify" they are actually telling the truth. Don't call it, it's another scammer who will lie to you. Recently, a Dewey area resident reported losing more than $13,000 in this scam!
We will NEVER call anyone to ask for money, under any circumstances! Again, don't believe the caller ID (manipulated to say YCSO,etc). Hang up and call our real Fraud Investigations Unit at (928)771-3299 and give them all of the information you have about the scam call.