Over the past week the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has received multiple reports of a fraudulent phone scam circulating in the local Siskiyou County area. Sergeant Behr Tharsing stated, “The way the scam works is that you will receive a phone message stating, ‘This is your last chance to get your financial stimulus, call 1-800-847-2911.’ When you call the number, people say they are representing a VISA credit card company and your card number is requested.
“The SCSO has also received reports from citizens stating that they have received phone calls from ATM/debit companies or Bank of America requesting account numbers to re-open an account which has been inadvertently inactivated.”
Sheriff Lopey said, “I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that accepting phone charges, or providing personal identification information, credit card or phone card numbers over the phone can result in you incurring hundreds or thousands of dollars in phone call charges or worse. The perpetrator of these phone scams, through existing technology, can use your card number to make free phone calls or exploit your personal information to fraudulently acquire your money, products, other services or loans in your name. If ever in doubt about a caller’s affiliation with any organization, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office for assistance. Generally, no donations should be made over the phone to organizations, nor should you ever ‘pay’ to claim a prize or federal entitlement. Again, if in doubt, please contact your local law enforcement agency.”
Reports of phone scams or questions should be directed to Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (530) 841-2900.
-from press release
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