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The latest scam involves criminals posing as law enforcement officers claiming that victims need to pay money in order to avoid criminal charges, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said.
In one recent case, the scammers identified themselves as “Dutchess County Sergeant Cook.”
That warning comes just days after the Putnam County Sheriff's Office issued a similar advisory.
In other cases, police said perpetrators have successfully played to victims’ emotions by claiming that a relative is in jail or has been seriously injured and needs money right away.
The sheriff’s office reminded the public that legitimate law enforcement would never attempt to satisfy a warrant or make promises to avoid prosecution by soliciting money.
“It is very important to not send any money to anyone that you don’t know until you’ve confirmed the situation through an independent source and feel comfortable with it,” the sheriff’s office said.
“If it’s a scam, once the money is sent it’s very difficult, and most times impossible, to get it back.”
Sheriff’s officials offered several tips to avoid falling victim to scammers. They include:
If someone calls you and tells you that a relative has been hurt or is in jail, confirm it first before sending any money. Call other relatives or a legitimate law enforcement agency for confirmation before any money is sent.
If you receive an email about an order you didn’t place or asking you to send money call the company using a legitimate number. DO NOT follow the instructions in the email, click on any links in the email, or call the number provided in the email.
If someone asks you to purchase merchandise, transfer money, provide bank information, or enter a code given to you by them use caution as it is likely a scam.
Do not meet up with someone that you don’t know; if you’re asked to do this it is surely a scam, and it is very dangerous as well.
If you’re contacted by someone you don’t know asking for money, for any reason, that’s a signal that it’s most likely a scam.
Sending money overseas is especially risky; use extreme caution.
In some cases someone will call and tell the victim that they’ve won money, but to “process the claim” they need to first send money. Beware this is most definitely a scam and don’t send any money.
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