X

Avoid fraud

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office offers fraud awareness info

By Cindy Granger

Deputy Chris Ralston from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office recently gave a presentation on avoiding fraud for my neighborhood residents. Ralston’s presentation was packed full of examples of fraud scams and ways to avoid them, and I wanted to share them with our Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles parishioners.

Some general tips

  • Pre-program your smartphone phone with the numbers of the people you communicate with.
  • Don’t answer any number you don’t recognize.
  • DO NOT ever give any banking info to anyone via phone, text or e-mail.
  • Choose a credit card that fits your lifestyle. Be wary of using a debit card, especially when making online purchases.
  • Don’t welcome cold-call salespersons to your home. If you need a service, choose a reputable company you used in the past. Ask for references from any company you consider. Talk to your neighbors about their service providers.
  • Protect your bikes and golf carts and grills by taking photos of them, showing the serial numbers. This is the best way to help law enforcement and insurance companies if you have a theft.
  • ALWAYS lock your door, even for a quick run to the clubhouse, etc. Don’t make it easy for an intruder. Burglars nowadays go for the main bedroom, looking for cash, IDs, drugs/medications, jewelry and guns. Appliances like TVs are not big money-makers for thieves in 2023.
  • Don’t leave bags unsecured at church, at a meeting, etc. Don’t leave purses, wallets and any identifying documents in your vehicle.
  • Ladies, always keep your purse zipped/closed when shopping, and keep it on your shoulder or in your hands. Scammers sometimes grab handbags and use the victim’s ID, credit cards, etc.
  • Always lock your vehicle.
  • At the gas pump, check to make sure the hose running from your pump is really running to your side. Gas thieves may run the hose around the pump to their side, sticking you with their bill!
  • Dial 911 for emergency wherever you are. Today’s smartphone is gps and goes to the local 911 center.

Some common scams

Grandma/Grandpa scam

  • Scammers ask for Grandma/Grandpa when someone answers the phone. Don’t say, “Yes.” The scammer says they need money, but ask you NOT tell their mom or dad. Before they say anything, make the caller identify himself/herself. Then hang up. Call your grandkid’s number and confirm they just called you. Then have a nice conversation with YOUR  real grandkid.

Inheritance scam

  • Typically conducted via email about inheriting from someone you never heard of. The message contains what appear to be official legal markings. Don’t respond. Report the fraud attempt.

IRS Scam

  • Scammer contacts you via text, phone or email and claims “you owe taxes,” then gives instructions to pay (via money-gram, etc.) Don’t respond. Report the fraud attempt! The IRS NEVER contacts you by text, phone or email. The IRS only contacts you by US mail.  

Non-profit Scam

  • Scammers use phone, email and text communications to steal your money. Don’t be convinced by the organization name they give. Many fraudulent “organizations” have names that sound like reputable ones you may have heard of. Don’t give any info to someone saying they’re seeking a donation. Ask them for their tax exempt ID number and hang up.

Amazon scam

  • Amazon DOES NOT initiate contact with customers saying they need verification for an alleged purchase. This is a scam perpetrated via text message to your phone. DON’T click the text to reply. If you know how to do it on your smartphone, block the contact number.

Geek Squad scam

  • Scammers contact people, but are not really the Best Buy Geek Squad. DO NOT give out any computer password over the phone, by email or text. Don’t accept any alleged Geek Squad call. If you wonder if you need the Best Buy Geek Squad, go to Best Buy and talk to the real Geeks.

 

To report fraud . . .

 . . . Call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office with questions or to report any fraudulent incident that happens to you.

941-747-3011 ext 2260 – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

Phone ext 2500 – office administrator’s desk

Phone ext 2588 – Deputy Chris Ralston’s desk

. . . OR, report fraud in Manatee County to the Manatee County Clerk’s office 

by phone on the 24-hour hotline at 941-742-5938 

or on the website Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Misconduct

. . . Or, go to www.FTC.gov to report a fraud.