Prevention Tips

Prevention

  • NO Law Enforcement or Government Agency will ever call, email, or text you and ask you for money or payment for anything.   

     

  • NO Law Enforcement or Government Agency will ever call, email, or text you and ask you for your personal information. 

 

  • NO Law Enforcement or Government Agency will ever ask for or accept gift cards, wire transfers, and/or cryptocurrency as payment, or use couriers to collect money from you.

 

  • NO Law Enforcement or Government Agency will ever contact you to tell you that you have a warrant for your arrest.  Any real requests from Law Enforcement or Government officials will be in the form of physical mail or in person.

 

  • NEVER give out your personal information to a person who is calling YOU!

 

  • Do NOT give money to anyone you do not know, who you have not met in person, or who you have only met online.

 

  • Do NOT respond to messages or emails from unknown numbers or email addresses.  Block and delete unknown phone numbers.  Report unknown email addresses as spam.

     

  • Scammers will use fear tactics to get you to act quickly without giving you time to think about what it is you are doing.  SLOW DOWN.  Take a breath and think about what you are being asked to do.  Resist the pressure to act quickly.

 

  • Talk with friends and family about any phone calls, text messages, or emails you receive, especially those which are supposedly from Law Enforcement or Government officials. 

     

  • Scammers will often demand to stay on the phone with you while you go to the bank and withdraw money.  They will tell you NOT to tell anyone about talking with them and will provide you with a story about the case being an undercover operation or Top Secret.  They will tell you to lie about why you are withdrawing large amounts of money, usually that you are remodeling your house, etc…  
    • DO NOT TRUST ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU TO LIE!!! 
    • Do NOT be afraid to ask for help, even at your bank. 

 

  • You can protect yourself from most scams by being suspicious of unsolicited emails, text messages, phone calls, and/or social media. 

 

  • Check each website’s URL to make sure it is legitimate and secure.  A site from which you purchase items should have "https://" in the web address.  If it does not, do NOT enter your personal or payment information on that site. 

     

  • Never give or send any personally identifiable information, gift cards, wire transfer money, cryptocurrency, cash, gold, or other precious metals, jewelry, and/or or checks, to unverified people, businesses, or couriers.

 

  • Make sure all of your computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date.  Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.

     

  • Make sure you secure your banking and credit accounts with strong passwords.

     

  • Never allow anyone else to access your online accounts. 

     

  • Check your credit card and bank account statements routinely.