To keep your New Year happy and safe, the BBB® wishes to remind you of some recurring scams that continue to target our community. Please familiarize yourself with these fraudulent offerings and be prepared when you receive a call, letter or email!

Phony Government Agents: If you receive a call from anyone claiming to be with a government agency who states that you owe money, or that you owe a fine for any reason, don’t believe it! Immediately hang up the phone, find the number for the agency that was represented in the call and notify them of the phony call. Most agencies won’t contact by phone, but only by direct mail.

Telemarketing Scheme: You receive a call offering a great deal on a product if you “act now.” The caller asks for personal information that they can use to run up charges on your credit card. Or you receive a call, email, or letter informing you that you have won a large sum of money. All you have to do is cover “fees” or “taxes” upfront. Sometimes you’ll be sent a check as “partial payment.” These checks are forgeries.

Investment/Healthcare Scams: You receive a call, letter, or e-mail offering above-market returns on investments or great savings on medical care. The solicitor is often reluctant to provide details about the company such as name, address, and phone number or provide written documentation. Other callers will claim to be with Medicare and ask for your Medicare ID number.

Grandparent Scam: Someone calls you and says, “Grandma, it’s me.” They go on to say they have gotten into trouble and they need you to wire money to help. They ask you not to tell their parents. This is not your grandchild, just someone preying on your emotions. Often they will excuse their voice as sounding funny because of a “bad connection” or other phony reason.

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