From the Charles County Sheriff’s Office:
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. – We want to make our community aware that we’ve seen an uptick in scam attempts. These scams are becoming more sophisticated, and many of them share the same warning signs. Think this only happens to the elderly? No. It happens to people from all backgrounds, ages and professions, and they occur more frequently than you think.
Below are some common red flags we’re seeing:
• Unexpected contact from someone claiming to be a bank, utility company, law enforcement, mortgage company, government agency and more (via phone call, text message, email or even a mailed letter) saying you must send money, transfer money, pay money, get gift cards, etc.
Caller has a calm, yet strong sense of urgency. Examples include:
• “If you don’t pay immediately, your power will be shut off.”
• “Your account is compromised.”
• “You will be charged or held in contempt.”
• “You must act now to avoid legal trouble.”
• Caller ID or text numbers that look legitimate.
Scammers can spoof numbers to appear as if they’re coming from a real business or agency.
• Demands for money, gift cards, wire transfers or account information. No legitimate agency will pressure you to send money on the spot.
What to do if this happens to you:
• Hang up. Do not respond. Do not click any links.
• Do NOT send money or provide account information.
• Contact the organization directly using a phone number YOU already have on file (such as the number on your bank card, utility bill or the official police department line).
Taking a moment to pause and verify can prevent you from becoming a victim.
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