IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF

WESTMORELAND COUNTY TRIAD

 

SCAMS: Watch Out & Be Crime Smart

 

Scams and skullduggery whether on the internet, your daily mailbox, or door to door are as epidemic as the pandemic that stalks our hopes and dreams these days. This is perfect storm weather. Like Hee-Haw taught us, "If it weren't for bad luck there'd be no luck at all". The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has several announcements online describing the many ways thieves and other scoundrels are alive and well. Awareness is key to protecting yourself. Unfortunately law enforcement cannot be proactive in many of these scams. For law enforcement it's like playing whack-a-mole. You have to be the first line of defense against these crooks. Here are just some scams to watch out for. Please share with folks you know.
 

   •    Fear Scams: Calls saying they are from the IRS and are going to arrest you if you don't give them money. Also, phantom calls from someone pretending to be a close relative (grandson or granddaughter) telling you they are in jail and they                  need your money to make bail. And, then there's the utility company calling to tell you your service is being turned off unless you pay some outstanding balance.

 

• Direction Scams: A phone call or text message or email tells you that in order for you to receive any money from your tax return or from the Government due to the COVID you need to provide some personal information, like bank account information, social security numbers, Medicare/Medicaid numbers, etc in order to receive your money. They give you directions, they tell you what to do in order to receive the money or the things you want or need.

 

• Pop-up Text Messages on your Cell Phone: Text messages inviting you to participate in a survey to gain your opinion about local topics. Some of these messages promise to give you gift certificates, freebies worth hundreds of dollars, for your "help" and all give you a website link, or they give you the promise to let you "opt out" if you reply with the words "STOP". Of course replying gives you the same headache as clicking on the bogus link. Some pop-up text messages announce that you have a package from Amazon, the Post Office (USPS), DHL, or FedEx and give you a "tracking number" and of course a website link. One message I received gave a link that looked like an official note from the Veterans Administration.

 

• Charity Scams: Solicitations to support religious or other non-profit organizations to help those in need. In the pandemic climate we're in there are millions of people in need, and humans are social creatures and are sensitive to people in need. These scams provide a link or mailing address to send your check or provide your credit card information.

 

 

• Something for Nothing Scams: In this you'll get a huge return on very little of your own money, "no risk at  all". This can be the "chance of a lifetime" to just send a few hundred dollars and they will send you hundreds of thousands of dollars for your help. 

 

• Surprise Cashier’s Checks: You'll get a cashier’s check for something another communication was "yours" comes in the mail. Unfortunately when you deposit it into your bank and try to spend it you'll learn the check was a forgery. Cashier’s check scams almost always involve someone giving you a genuine-looking check or money order and asking you to either wire money to them or send them goods in returns. After you deposit or cash the check or money order and send the money, you learn that the check sent to you was fraudulent.

 

• Any and All Other Scams: They are only limited by the imagination of the crooks, which means they are  unlimited.

 

A general warning to avoid scams is that the caller or message originator needs you to provide money or your personal information. You have to give them something they are asking you for such as credit card information, gift card numbers, etc. These are what these criminals need in order to rip you off. You are the first line of defense from these creeps and you have to say "NO".

 

These criminals are not stupid. They are especially cunning and smart. They are just criminals. They want your money, they have no concern for you at all, and they will say/do anything in order to get your money into their pockets.

 

Be crime smart. Hang up the phone. Do not click on the links in emails or text messages. Do not believe that you are going to get something for nothing. That is a lie.

 

Good luck, stay well and God bless.

 

Larry Wheaton,

Chair, Westmoreland County Triad

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT)