All too frequently, Titus County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies learn that someone, usually an elderly person has been the victim of some sort of a scam that originates from a phone call from an caller with whom they are not familiar.
While there are several ploys the crooks will try to use to cheat unwary victims out of their money, there appears to be two common themes. In one instance the caller will falsely identify him or herself as a law enforcement official or bail bondsman.
The caller then may demand that the potential victim go out and purchase some type of a gift card such as “Green Dot”, “Itunes” or any other of the many gift cards available. In other instances the caller will tell the recipient that they are to receive some type of a big windfall but must first go and purchase such cards to qualify to collect the unexpected windfall.
There are yet other scams which dupe unwary victims into going to the Western Union or other location to wire funds associated with the above type scams. In some cases, it has been reported that the victim received a somewhat garbled call that sounded like it was from their family member who was named by the caller and believe that their family member needs them to conduct the transaction. In the digital age, it not difficult at all for scammers to know the names of family members of victims with very little effort and they do this to make themselves sound legit. It also goes without saying to never offer up your social security number and other identifying information over the phone to an unknown caller.
While most people would not likely fall victim to such scams, we ask that each of you consider elderly family members who may live alone. We have also found that some people who were once more savvy and suspicious of such calls, may become more susceptible for falling for these type scams as they age.
While there are several ploys the crooks will try to use to cheat unwary victims out of their money, there appears to be two common themes. In one instance the caller will falsely identify him or herself as a law enforcement official or bail bondsman.
The caller then may demand that the potential victim go out and purchase some type of a gift card such as “Green Dot”, “Itunes” or any other of the many gift cards available. In other instances the caller will tell the recipient that they are to receive some type of a big windfall but must first go and purchase such cards to qualify to collect the unexpected windfall.
There are yet other scams which dupe unwary victims into going to the Western Union or other location to wire funds associated with the above type scams. In some cases, it has been reported that the victim received a somewhat garbled call that sounded like it was from their family member who was named by the caller and believe that their family member needs them to conduct the transaction. In the digital age, it not difficult at all for scammers to know the names of family members of victims with very little effort and they do this to make themselves sound legit. It also goes without saying to never offer up your social security number and other identifying information over the phone to an unknown caller.
While most people would not likely fall victim to such scams, we ask that each of you consider elderly family members who may live alone. We have also found that some people who were once more savvy and suspicious of such calls, may become more susceptible for falling for these type scams as they age.
We ask you take a moment to discuss this activity and these type of scams with loved ones you care about and make sure they do not in any way, comply with requests like these from any one.
The best take away from this is if asked by a stranger to buy gift cards or to wire money, it is an out and out scam.
The best take away from this is if asked by a stranger to buy gift cards or to wire money, it is an out and out scam.
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