Phone scam targets Times readers

June 20—VALDOSTA — In recent weeks, some Lowndes County residents have been contacted by phone by someone claiming to be from “their local newspaper” seeking personal financial information.

“These robocalls are not from The Valdosta Daily Times or our parent company, CNHI, and should be ignored,” said Laurie Gay, editor of The Times.

The calls claim that the victim’s newspaper subscription is expiring and they need to provide a credit or debit card number to restart delivery. These calls do not mention The Times by name, but simply begin with some variation of “This is your local newspaper.”

Even staffers at The Times received these fake calls.

If you are unsure whether or not you are speaking to someone at The Valdosta Daily Times, hang up and call The Times at our telephone number, 229-244-1880, for confirmation.

Anyone who thinks they have been targeted by a phone scammer should contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

Terry Richards is the senior reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times.