CARBON COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 14, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Carbon County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents of several recent frauds.
A post on Facebook said Carbon County Sheriff’s Office “is investigating several recent frauds that have cost local residents over $100,000 in just the last two weeks. Most of these frauds are committed against elderly victims.”
The post says residents can ask themselves the following questions to establish if they are being scammed:
Has someone contacted you unexpectedly?
Most scams start with an approach through a contact you weren’t expecting, the post said. If someone contacts you out of the blue — whether over the phone, through the mail, by email, on a website, in person or on social media– always consider the possibility that it may be a scam.
Have they promised you something?
If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is, the post said. Scammers offer exciting advantages to get you interested. They promise things like easy money, great bargains, inside knowledge or a caring relationship.
Have they asked you to do something?
Scams eventually lead to a request for money or personal information. Scammers ask you to do things like enter details on a website, answer questions in a survey, or pay upfront for what they have promised.
Are they asking you to pay via an untraceable transfer?
Scammers often ask for payment in iTunes, Prepaid Visa, Bitcoin, or wire transfer.
“New scams are appearing every day and the scammers are becoming more convincing,” the post said. “If you are concerned you are about to get scammed, please reach out to the Sheriff’s Office or your local police agency. We would much rather spend a small amount of time reviewing the details and prevent you from being scammed if it is a scam. Once you have already been scammed, it takes an immense amount of time to investigate it, it involves local and federal law enforcement, county attorneys, judges, internet providers, banks etc. Most often by the time we file all the paperwork required and get the information back from the companies and financial institutions, the scammer is long gone and so is your money.”
During business hours, residents can reach the Sheriff’s Office at 435-636-3251. After hours, residents can reach dispatch at 435-637-0890. A deputy or officer will contact you and answer your questions, the post said.
For more tips on avoiding fraud click here.
