“Building Unity in the Community” -- Giving You the Tools to Fight Back Against Career Scam Artists

As your Sheriff, I have a passion for finding ways to protect you. One of the ways I can do this is by providing training and awareness to you FREE of charge. Recently I'm hearing more and more about scams targeting our communities. I want to make sure you have the tools you need to fight back and not become a victim.

Scams can come via mail, email, over the phone or now even text messages-- with the potential to not only drain your bank account but ruin your credit report. I want to empower you to recognize the difference between a good deal and a deal that will take everything you own.

Most recently, the Sheriff’s Department received reports of scams offering easy money. These reports involve people being victimized by using Craigslist and Careerbuilder.com websites to lure victims into giving up their hard earned money.

I am asking you to be very careful when online and when receiving phone calls. These criminals are doing nothing but taking advantage of you, having you send your money to Nigeria, Jamaica, South Africa, and other locations within the state. These criminals have no conscience when it comes to taking advantage of the elderly as well. Here are examples of someone victimized in Richland County:

-A 90 year old woman states that she talked to a man who she thought was her grandson. The suspect stated that he needed $3, 500.00 to get out of jail. The victim wired the money to Pennsylvania only to find out later that it wasn’t her grandson. The victim doesn’t know who received the money.

-A victim received a call asking her to be a “secret shopper” for a fictitious company with a promise of earning money for her efforts. The victim was asked to send money to them in good faith and that she would be sent money orders in return. The victim did receive two money orders totaling $990.36 from the scam artist that she placed in her Wells Fargo account. After making purchases and charging it to her account. The victim soon realized that the money orders were fake and her account was overdrawn by $1, 676.00.

I urge you that if you receive emails, calls, or letters that you do not recognize or fully understand what they are asking for- do not reply, not even to say no. Once scammers get a reply, they will send more unwanted messages. Here are some tips:

• If you get a call from a scammer, hang up.
• Do not give out any personal information like your address or ‘confirm’ details like your bank account number.
• If you answer your door to a salesperson, ask to see their ID.
• Check the company name online, and call the company to check that the person works there.
• If you have lost money to a scam, report it to law enforcement immediately.

Be weary of uninvited letters, emails, phone calls and texts that trick you out of your money. Fake lotteries, get-rich-quick investments and miracle ‘health cures. Always remember that if it sounds too good to be true-- then it usually is.

Career scam artists are also offering to perform work on your home, yard or business for an upfront fee. These criminals exist in many forms and will take advantage of any opportunity they can. They will manipulate people into thinking they will be given a service or goods when in actuality they become the victim of a horrible crime.

Here are some tips on how to avoid being scammed when seeking assistance on home repairs:

• Meet with the person who will be completing the work
• Ask for a free estimate
• Make sure the roofer actually gets up on your roof and inspects the damage themselves to give you a proper estimate
• Ask for referrals and contact them
• Check their credentials as well as checking with The Better Business Bureau, Labor Licensing and Regulation, and the South Carolina Secretary of State’ office
• Make sure they are licensed.

Always check with the Department of Consumer Affairs if you have any doubt of offers or solicitation of your money at 1-800-922-1594. I ask anyone with information about those who may be taking advantage of unsuspecting citizens should call, email or text your anonymous tip to: Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, or text "TIPSC" plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

As your Sheriff for the past 16 years, I am committed to making sure you're not a victim of crime. Please take a minute and visit our website at www.rcsd.net for tips about computer safety, identity theft and fraud, what to do if your identity is stolen and more.