Residents are warned to stay vigilant against scams during the holiday season.
Residents of Beaufort County are urged to be vigilant as the Sheriff’s Office warns of new scams involving fake parking violations and impersonating law enforcement officers. Scammers are using tactics such as urgent payment demands via texts or emails, pretending to be Southern Connector. Authorities stress that real police will never ask for money over the phone. During the holiday season, the number of scams tends to increase, making it crucial for community members to remain alert. Report any suspicious activity to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Residents of Beaufort County, listen up! The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has issued an urgent warning about some sneaky scams that are making the rounds. If you’ve received any emails or text messages claiming to be from Southern Connector, you might want to think twice before reacting.
These fraudulent messages are supposedly notifying you about an unpaid parking violation. They urge you to pay up immediately, or you might face a $35 late fee. Sounds familiar? That’s because it is a tactic that scammers love to use. They conveniently provide a link for you to click on and, oh boy, that’s where the trouble begins! This link doesn’t take you to any legitimate site; instead, it leads you straight to a scam site designed to collect your personal information and hard-earned cash.
Authorities are stressing the importance of NOT clicking on these suspicious links. If you’re unsure, it’s best to stay away from it altogether. As the holiday season kicks into high gear, more people are on the move and may be more vulnerable to these types of scams. So, take a moment to think before you act!
In addition to the parking violation scam, there’s another wave of scams where individuals are posing as law enforcement officers. They craft messages or calls claiming that people missed their jury duty and must pay a fine. Here’s a golden rule: real police officers will NEVER ask for money over the phone. Legitimate agencies also steer clear of methods like cryptocurrency, bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers for payment.
If you ever receive such a call, the best course of action is to simply hang up and consider that a red flag. Also, keep an eye out for any requests to keep these payments secret from banks or family. These signs are clear indicators that you might be dealing with a scam artist.
It’s essential to stay vigilant, especially during the festive season when scam activities tend to spike. The Sheriff’s Office has been inundated with reports of impersonation scams, particularly around the holidays. For instance, one unfortunate North Carolina resident lost thousands due to a sexting scam initiated through a matchmaking app. In this harrowing case, the scammer misled the victim into thinking he needed to pay for therapy because of inappropriate conversations with someone they falsely claimed was an underage girl.
Adding to the confusion, the scammer portrayed themselves as a fictitious investigator from the Beaufort Police Department while using the names of well-known local officials to gain trust. It’s absolutely mind-blowing how sneaky these scammers can be!
Interestingly, older adults in Beaufort County, who make up a significant portion of the community, are particularly at risk of falling prey to these scams. It’s crucial to spread the word and keep everyone informed about these tactics so we can protect our family and neighbors.
Finally, if you ever feel you’ve been caught in the scam web, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to report any potential fraud or to verify if a phone call is legitimate. You can dial their non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.
Stay informed and stay safe, Beaufort County! Keep your eyes peeled for these scams and protect yourself and your loved ones against any potential trickery.
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