Scammers are getting trickier, local community shares advice and experience
WARREN COUNTY, Ky. – Scams have been an ongoing issue in the community, and local law enforcement is reminding the public to stay vigilant and to always double check legitimacy before giving anyone money.
Deb Rassel, a Warren County resident, is recounting her experience with an attempted tricky scam where someone spoofed the Warren County Sheriff’s Office’s phone number and demanded money for taxes over the phone.
Rassel, confused and suspicious, hung up the phone and called the number back.
When the legitimate Warren County Sheriff’s Office answered, they confirmed she did not owe taxes, and a scammer must have spoofed their number to try to steal her money.
Though she did everything right, the circumstances were unsettling.
“There are a lot of scam phone calls going on, but it kind of took me aback by thinking, Oh my, they used the sheriff’s office, you know, and that’s somebody that, you know, you would trust and want to obey and do what they say,” said Rassel.
Law enforcement officials say they will never demand payment of any kind over the phone. Payment must be made in person, on the website or by mail.
They also will never call you to serve a warrant nor to fine you over missed jury duty.
“You cannot buy your way out of a criminal offense. A criminal offense requires a visit to court or a payment of some sort of a bill you already have. No law enforcement agency will ever reach out to you by phone and trade, being arrested for any sort of payment. That doesn’t exist,” said Sgt. Rick Bessette with the Smiths Grove Police Department.
As if tax scams weren’t enough, the Auburn Police Department is reporting rental property fraud scams.
Scammers are using legitimate rental postings with false contact information and trying to get people to give them money for a property the scammers do not own.
Always confirm before sending deposits or any other payments that the individual or company you are paying is legitimate.
Scammers also will say personal information about you to make you believe them, but this is often information that they found online.
“People are fooled by this a lot of times because they know their families names. They know their address. They know anybody with any experience on Google can find anyone’s home address or their family members,” said Bessette.
Officials say red flags include suspicious links, urgency for payment or threats, unexpected texts or calls about a violation you are unaware of, unusual phone numbers, and or demands for gift cards or PayPal payments.
Do not click any links or respond to these messages.
If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank and then the police.
