POLICE have revealed residents are losing thousands of dollars after scammers began posing as police officers.
In less than two weeks, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office revealed that several people reported losses of between $2,500 and $9,000.
Police revealed that scammers are taking the names of real deputies and creating fake court summons.
“People are fudging some of our numbers here at the jail, so it looks official,” Chief Deputy Tina Mapes of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office told the local ABC affiliate. WVEC.
After speaking with them on the phone or sending text messages, they send victims fliers that instruct them to send money to the “sheriff’s office.”
Victims send thousands of dollars to these people and they don’t realize they have been scammed until they call the real sheriff’s office.
“We will never ask you for money. Anything from Coinstar, gift cards, Bitcoin, we will never call you or text you asking for money,” Mapes said.
She admitted that this could be an easy scam for most people to fall victim to.
“For someone who doesn’t know what to look for, it’s very scary,” she said.
“It’s scary. It’s so easy to fall when people are trying to do the right thing.”
Caleb Davey, an economic crimes detective, recommends that people hang up and do independent research if they feel they are falling for a scam.
“Do your homework before responding and no one will blame you for it, especially now that we know there are so many scams, we prefer you to call and check with us before doing anything.”
However, if you feel you have been victimized, he recommends reporting it to the police immediately.
“This is happening to people all over the world, you are not alone, if you fall victim, it’s okay,” Davey said.
“But we need to know because the only way we can help you or become aware of a scam that we may not have heard of, or be able to say yes, this is something we are looking at is for you to come and let us know.”
BIG HOAX
Police officers have been warning people across the country about the tricks fraudsters are using to steal from unsuspecting victims.
Bank tips to avoid scams
As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important that you know how to identify them:
- Be skeptical of online businesses that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
- Scammers often use tactics to make you panic so that you make quick decisions – be cautious if you are asked to take immediate action and check who has contacted you.
- Chase Bank warns customers to “never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first.”
- Never send money to someone you’ve only spoken to online or on the phone, as this is likely a romantic scam.
- Unless you know 100% who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device.
- Never accept help from strangers at ATMs and always be careful when making withdrawals.
- Do not send money or click on links that indicate you have won a prize.
Source: Chase.com
Last month, researchers in Florida revealed that Michael Lawrence and Max Richards allegedly scammed an elderly woman out of $477,000.
The two men allegedly called the victim and told her she won a Publisher’s Clearinghouse sweepstakes valued at $3 million.
However, in order to receive the money, they allegedly told her she needed to pay taxes on the prize, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Police said the victim showed early signs of dementia at the time of the call and immediately did as the men asked.
“It was an elaborate scheme that worked because, once again, a very elderly woman was completely duped,” the sheriff said.
“She borrowed money for her retirement and for her shares in Publix.”
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