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 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
-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.
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.
