It is nothing new for scammers to call potential victims claiming to be from some agency. They may say they are representing the Sheriff’s Department, the utility company, a local charity….you name it, scammers have it covered.
Regardless of how they go about it or who they claim to represent – the goal is the same: get money, personal information, or both. The scams get a little more sophisticated and they may vary in how they reach us but these people have the same goal in mind. Consumers are to beware of callers stating they are from the Sheriff’s Office or the State Police. They threaten to come after you because you’ve missed a court date.
But – if you send money or gift cards … well, you get the picture. The same fear-producing scam has been used with callers impersonating Internal Revenue Service employees.
This scam will be starting very soon as we transition into the tax season. The Sheriff’s Departments and the Internal Revenue Service assure us that this is not their procedure. They will not call and threaten you. They will not ask for or demand gift cards or money. Contact your local Sheriff’s office with concerns, or if you have questions about your tax status, call the Internal Revenue Service at 800 829-1040 or go to the website at www.irs.gov.
Another scam that is making the rounds is the utility employee scam. The callers tell people they have a leak in their system, and they want to set up an appointment to enter the residence. They leave a call-back number and hope you will call that number instead of looking up the legitimate number of your utility company.
If you have a question about your service, look up the number or look on your bill. Utility scams often accompany bad weather because of downed branches, aerial or localized flooding, or other weather-related utility issues.
The “Fraudulent-Activity-on-Your-Social-Security-Card” calls are starting with callers impersonating Social Security personnel. Do not call the numbers they leave. For more information on these scams, go to the Social Security web page or call Social Security at their REAL number: 1 800 772-1213.
We’re headed into holiday season so scammers will be depending on the generosity and good nature of the season. They will impersonate charities and gladly take your money. If you want to donate to a charity or help the agencies in your community, be sure you know to whom you’re donating. Check out charitynavigator.org to learn about charities or give to the organizations you know.
This holiday season with COVID, many families are opting for safety and not getting together. This will be an ideal time for the Grandparent Scam where the fake grandchild calls for help. These scammers have no sense of decency. They will play on your distance from your family and your emotions. Arrange a code word. If the caller doesn’t know the code word, it’s not legitimate.
Or just call your family and check on them. Don’t rush and don’t panic. Check it out first.
These are trying times and bring out the best and the worst in people. People will want to be generous, they will want companionship and family, and they will be afraid of COVID. All of these make us vulnerable. Don’t be paranoid. Just pay attention, be cautious and protect your personal information.
Don’t get scammed!
