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| Lewis County Law Enforcement Agencies Caution Public to be Alert to Phone Scams Targeting Residents 10/18/18 01:45pm By: Nick Altmire |
recent spike in telephone scams targeting local residents. While phone scams are nothing new, the perpetrators of the scams seem to be using more sophisticated tactics, investigators at the New York State Police Lowville barracks tell us. The schemes vary, and generally require people to make a payment- either by providing bank account information or purchasing gift cards to provide to the scammer. This week alone, New York State Police in Lowville have handled three cases involving victim's being told they have a virus on their computer that the caller can have removed for $199. Victim's then give the caller remote access to their computer, putting any of their personal data on the device into the scammer's hands. Investigators at the Lewis County Sheriff's Office have also handled a number of cases involving victims scammed by callers in recent weeks. These include cases of callers claiming to be with Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, Microsoft, or a law enforcement agency claiming you owe money and will be arrested if you don't pay the caller immediately. Both agencies would like to alert the public to these scams, and recommend being cautious when receiving calls of this nature. Officials stress that most legitimate agencies will never call requesting a payment or personal information by phone. Never provide any personal information to a caller if you are unsure of the legitimacy of the call. "Anytime you're asked to make a payment using gift cards, that should be a red flag," Investigator Ryan Lehman with the Lewis County Sheriff's Office said. If you receive a call saying you owe money, call the agency in question directly via a publicly listed number and speak with a representative to inquire about any potential issues. If you get locked out of a computer or a device and receive a call telling you that you have to pay the caller a fee to regain access, you can consult with a local computer technician to help remedy the situation. If you receive a call you feel is a scam, notify your local law enforcement agency. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at 315-376-3511, while the number for the NYSP in Lowville is 315-376-6513. |
