NEWS RELEASE
WCSO Provides Identity Theft and Scam Prevention Tips
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2010
The Walton County Sheriff?s Office (WCSO) encourages citizens to become familiar with common methods used by scam artists to fraudulently obtain personal and financial information from victims.
Identity thieves and scam artists may pose as someone with a legitimate need to gain access to personal and financial information, such as check and credit card account numbers, social security numbers, or bank account passwords.
Criminals may use fictitious telephone, website or e-mail messages to inform victims that their information has already been jeopardized. For example, victims may receive a telephone call warning that their account has recently been exposed to fraudulent activity. Victims are asked to ?verify? their credit or debit card number and security code on the back of the card. If the victim received an e-mail message, he or she is directed to click on a link within the message so he or she can ?confirm? his or her bank account information.
Scam artists may also use e-mail to inform victims that they have won a lottery prize that doesn?t actually exist. Victims are encouraged by the identity thief to submit an electronic form with their social security number, date of birth and other personal information.
Scammers may also pose as a friend or relative to use an ?emergency situation? such as a sudden medical condition or accident to solicit money from parents, grandparents, or other family members.
The WCSO encourages citizens to become familiar with the following safety tips to prevent scammers from fraudulently obtaining personal or financial information:
? Avoid offers informing you that you?ve won a prize. Respondents are often asked to pay for ?shipping? or a ?deposit? for a prize that never existed in the first place
? Never provide your bank account number or personal identification number without first contacting the financial institution?s telephone number that is listed on the back of your credit or debit card
? Never send a money transfer, in the name of a friend or relative, with the intention of changing the name to someone you have not personally met
? To be on the safe side, report possible telephone or Internet scams to law enforcement
For Further Information Contact:
Mike Morrison
Public Information Officer
Walton County Sheriff?s Office
(850) 951-4959 (office)
(850) 401-4612 (cell)