(File Photo of a Scam Alert Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver County, PA) A new scam is going around in Beaver County, as the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls regarding this scam that is being
perpetrated by individuals who is claiming to be County Deputy Sheriff’s.
The scam caller advises the victims that there is a warrant out for them for failing to appear for federal jury duty and a that the warrant can be resolved by making an immediate payment, via western union, to account numbers they provide.
The caller identification has been “spoofed” to indicate that it is the County Sheriff’s Office.
Don not give any personal information away to the scammers and if the caller claims that the County SHeriff’s Office has a warrant for you, please call either 724-770-4602 or Beaver County Emergency Services at 724-775-0880.
According to a release courtesy of the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, here is a summary of how to safeguard you from becoming the victim of any scam:
1. Under no circumstances should a resident ever provide any personal information over the phone when receiving calls. If you have any question as to the legitimacy of the call, get the individuals name and position, hang up and then obtain legitimate contact information for the company/agency, through independent means, and re-contact them. As in this case, if they say there is a warrant for your arrest in Beaver County, contact the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office.
2. NEVER provide credit card information, social security numbers, your date of birth, bank information, gift card numbers, etc. to anyone with whom you have not initiated the call.
3. Note any telephone number of the caller displayed on your caller ID. Beware, however, that many scammers “spoof” the numbers of a legitimate entity to make you think the call is from who they claim to be.
4. Document the conversation with the suspect.
5. Disconnect without providing any financial and/or personal information.
6. Criminals are able to access much of our personal information simply with the use of personal
computers and Web sites.