Full Notification

Scam Alert

01/29/2018

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has received a number of calls in reference to phone scams over the past couple of weeks.

A number of our citizens have reported receiving calls from what appeared to be local phone numbers, on caller ID. When the numbers are called back, they find that the person the number belong to never called. What is actually happening is called “spoofing”. The persons calling are able to hide their actual phone number and replace with a local number in the area they are calling.

In the event you do return these calls, please keep this in mind. The person whose number is being spoofed in these instances is being harassed much the same as the person who initially received the call. The scammers are trying to increase the number of people they actually make contact with.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like citizens to stay vigil when dealing with scammers.

Please do not give out information concerning bank information or personal identification to callers.

In the event you feel the need to send money or wire money, take the time to verify the receiver to eliminate becoming a victim of a scam.

In an effort to increase awareness to this continuing growing problem, we encourage citizens to share with neighbors and friends the types of calls they are receiving involving scams.

Reporting new scams in the area is essential in fighting these types of crimes. The following are types of scams being reported at this time.

• “Ransom ware” - opening an email that encrypts your files, unless you pay to have it removed.
• “Tax scams” – calls stating that the IRS is filing law suit against you.
• “Car warranty expired” – calls telling you that your warranty has expired and you need to purchase extended warranty.
• “Lottery scams” – email or calls reporting you have won a prize and need to pay fee to collect prize.
• “Fake checks” – sellers are receiving fake checks and discovering after cashing that the checks were fake.

In an effort to increase awareness to this continuing growing problem, we encourage citizens to share with neighbors and friends the types of calls they are receiving involving scams.

Anyone wishing to report a scam can contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office 828-894-3001 or go online to Consumer Reporting at the following link. http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php

Captain B.J. Bayne