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Don’t fall for phone scams

To the editor:

This is the time of year when telephone scammers seem to be flourishing. Please be extremely cautious about giving any information out over the phone and especially anything financial. Legitimate charities do not usually do phone solicitation. If you are asked for donations, politely ask for a mailing and do not give anything out to unknown callers. Be aware also of seemingly local numbers. Technology can now make caller ID show whatever number they choose to appear, regardless of the origin of the call.

Some typical scam calls are the IRS calls in which callers demand you pay back taxes or face arrest; utility scammers who threaten to turn off your service if you don’t pay immediately; automotive aftermarket warranty companies; alleged police charities such as the New York (pause) State Police Fund, who promises to put money into police training. A recent call from this organization originated in Texas.

Another scam is to call and pretend to be a young relative in trouble, either arrested, in an accident or stranded. The person then asks for money to be wired or gift cards to be purchased and the numbers given over the phone so that they can then get out of jail or return home. Before you do anything, VERIFY that your relative is safe and not the victim the caller wants you to believe they are.

Be safe; please do not fall for these scams. Verify before you give any financial information. Remember these people work on volume, if even one person an hour falls for the scam, they are successful.

You can politely ask for your number to be removed from their database or simply say, “No, thank you,” and hang up.

You worked hard for your money; please be sure before you give it away.

Sheriff Richard Cutting

Essex County Sheriff’s Office

Lewis

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