If you receive a phone call from someone asking for your personal information, demanding a payment, or asking for the numbers off prepaid gift cards, you might be the victim of a scam.
The James City County Police Department is warning residents to be vigilant in protecting themselves after receiving several reports of scams in recent weeks, according to a James City County news release.
Police say residents should educate older adults about the risks and signs of a scam because elderly people are usually targeted, the release said.
The release said residents should never wire money or provide numbers from a prepaid card to anyone over the phone without verifying their identity, or provide personal information such as birth date or social security number over the phone or email.
Dominion and the Internal Revenue Service will also never ask for immediate payment over the phone or by prepaid card, the release said.
Lastly, local law enforcement will not call residents and offer an option to pay a fine in lieu of arrest.
The release gave several examples of scams:
- A “grandchild” (or the “attorney” or “bondsman” for a grandchild) calls stating that he or she has been arrested and needs you to send money for an attorney or for bond.
- A “Medicare Agent” comes to your door or calls selling a prescription plan or other health insurance coverage or you receive a call requesting you to verify your Medicare number to maintain coverage.
- A utility company calls stating that you are past due and your electric service will be shut off if you do not pay immediately.
- An “IRS Agent” calls stating that you owe back taxes and will be arrested if you do not pay immediately.
- Caller states that you have missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately or you will be arrested.
- Caller states that you have won the lottery or a sweepstakes and must pay taxes or shipping fees in order to receive the funds (or other prize).
- You receive a bill in the mail from a credit card company that you did not open an account with.
- You receive a call from someone representing themselves as a police officer with a local law enforcement department explaining that you have missed court and must pay a fine immediately or you will be arrested.
- You receive an email or message via another source from a friend or family member who advises that they have traveled out of town and got mugged or injured and need you to send money.
- You receive payment for an item you are selling on Craigslist (or other classified-type forum) that exceeds the sale price and are told to send the difference back to purchaser, only later to find that you have been sent a counterfeit check or cashier’s check.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call or email or other contact they believe may be a scam should report it to police by calling James City County Communications at 757-566-0112.
