Posted 11/20/23

The Giles County Sheriff’s Department has issue the following Fraud Alert. Holiday Season is upon us and criminals victimizing our Senior Citizens again. Listed below are a few tips to help prevent becoming a victim.

#1 RULE: NEVER, NEVER BUY GIFT CARDS AND GIVE THE NUMBERS OVER THE PHONE TO ANYONE. NO LEGITIMATE Government agency or Business will ask you to send any payment in cash or ESPECIALLY UNTRACEABLE MONEY/GIFT CARDS.

If you receive threats of harm if you do not provide personal or financial information. Hang up and call your local Law Enforcement Agency

Do not provide sensitive data such as your birth date, social security number, license number, etc. to unknown callers under any circumstances.

Beware of Spoofed telephone numbers. Scammers are using technology and copy existing phone numbers and they will show up on your caller ID.

Beware of social media trends that ask information that is typically used for security questions (mother’s maiden name, street you grew-up on etc.

If you’re ask you to call them back at a number DON’T and do not “press 1” to get off the call list. Hang-up and notify your local Law Enforcement agency. BE AWARE: Please monitor your elderly family members or Senior Citizens you know, whom may be withdrawing, large amounts of cash or purchasing green dot, gift cards, I-tunes cards, etc.