Sheriff’s department provides tips to avoid being scammed, as reports escalate

YORK – The York County Sheriff’s Department is providing tips to help people avoid being scammed, as reports of scam attempts have been escalating locally.

​The sheriff’s department staff says they have recently been receiving “a lot of calls and tips about possible scams going around. Our investigators would like to provide a few tips if you think something seems suspicious.”
They offered the following:
* Never give out card number/ personal information unless you have VERIFIED the person you are speaking with is legitimate.
* Monitor your credit card and bank statements.
* Do not send money or other currency through any type of transfer unless you know FOR CERTAIN who it is going to.
* Most law enforcement agencies do not take bail/bond money over the phone, so if you get a call about a loved one requesting those funds, make contact with the alleged arresting agency first to confirm that the person is in custody and ask how bail/ bond can be paid.
* Any one who wants to send you money, but requires you to get gift cards to send to them is VERY LIKELY a scammer.
* Before sending or transferring money to the IRS or other government agencies because of a phone call you have received, verify that it is legitimate.
* Most scam victims tend to be older. If you have an older family member, PLEASE educate them on these things. With AI and other technology in today’s society, people can make almost anything seem real. In most cases, once the money is gone, it’s gone for good and cannot be tracked/retrieved.