Neighborhood Watch

Please don't be a victim of scams!

Scams are happening by phone, internet and mail.

There are lottery scams, IRS/government scams, data breach and bank scams, jury duty scams, debt collection scams, grandparent scams, tech support scams, and many more. The most common theme in all of these scams are:

High pressure for payment:  Scammer says payment has to be made right away, and wants money now!

Request for personal information:  Most times, the scammers do not know anything about you.  You are just someone who by chance answered the phone. During your conversation, the scammer will gradually ask you for information other than your name, such as your address, Social Secuity number, credit card information, passwords, and more.

Threats of arrest:  A scammer will make threats of immediate arrest if payment is not made at that time.

No face to face interaction:  Scammers will want payment over the phone.

Constant contact:  Scammers will want payment over the phone and will want you to stay on the phone while you go to buy an iTunes card or other gift card, or get a money order or some other form of payment.  Scammers will then ask you to reveal the number on the back of the card and give it to them. They don’t want to lose the contact so as to not give you a moment to think about what is happening.

Make sure to take a moment to stop and think before you act. Scammers want to keep you confused and in fear. Look for these themes in your interaction with the scammer and never call a number that they give you. Instead, hang up and call the company that they say they are calling you from using the Yellow Pages or the number posted at the company's actual website..

Contact the Crime Prevention Unit for more information at:  509-893-3934