Fraud merchants consistently target older folks, many of them retired and worried about paying bills.
One of the latest scams making the rounds involves swindlers who pose as local government officials such as sheriff’s deputies. As with a similar IRS scam, they demand money — or else they will arrest you.
Here’s how scammers’ scripts go if they get someone on the phone or responding to an email or text:
“There’s a warrant out for your arrest and you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay a fine now.”
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“I’m calling from the local court and you need to pay a fine for jury duty.”
The bottom line in all of these scams is immediate demand for cash or gift cards.
They also may impersonate officials from banks, debt collection firms and Medicare. This is what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends to protect yourself and loved ones:
- A real government agency won’t call, email, text, or send you a direct message on social media to sell you anything or ask you to pay to get your Medicare card or other information.
- If you get an unexpected call, email, text message, or direct message on social media from someone claiming to be affiliated with Medicare or other agency, do not answer. Chances are that’s a scammer.
- Don’t call them back at the number they give you, and don’t use the number that shows up on your caller ID.
- If it’s a robocall, don’t press any numbers. Pressing numbers could lead to more calls. If you get an email or text message, don’t click on any links. Scammers design these links to steal your financial and personal information.
Think you’ve been swindled? File a complaint with the FTC.
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