He says anyone can become a victim of a scam.
Frederick, Md (KM) Anyone can become a victim of a scam, according to Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins. “These on line scams, internet scams, telephone. I want to again remind people do not–do not–respond to these things. So many people are being victimized every day,” he says.
Jenkins says some of these scammers call on the telephone or send e-mails saying they are from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office or another law enforcement agency. These scammers say you have an outstanding warrant, missed jury duty or a family member is in jail. They ask for money to resolve the situation, and it’s usually the purchase of gift cards.
“No government entity does business over the telephone or by e-mail. It’s always a formal letter,:” says Jenkins.
Unfortunately, he says some people do get taken by these scams. “I talked to a person yesterday who a victim,: $2700,” Sheriff Jenkins says. “If you get a call; you get an e-mail from somebody claiming to be the Sheriff’s Office, any government agency, any law enforcement, and they’re asking for some type of payment to resolve a problem, it’s a scam; It’s a fraud. So much of that going on,” he says.
Consumers protection organizations say if you receive a call that seems suspicious, hang up. If you receive an e-mail which looks suspicious, delete it. “If we want you, we’re going to find you. A knock on the door. We’re not going to call you and ask for gift cards to satisfy a warrant,’ says Jenkins.
The Sheriff’s Office does have investigators who handle fraud cases. “I’ve got investigators that spend a lot of time on it. Not a division, but I’ve people assigned to fraud, internet fraud, scams, what have you,” Jenkins says.
Anyone who wants to report a scam or feels they may been the victim of a scam can call the Sheriff’s Office at 301-600-1046.
By Kevin McManus