Garcia: Protect yourself from scams

Guest Editorial By John C. Garcia

Erie County Sheriff’s Office

The concept of bad actors scamming innocent victims is nothing new. However, the frequency of scams being reported to the police – and new technology that makes them easier to perpetuate – is cause for concern.

Who among us hasn’t received a text message offering an exciting new job opportunity in the last few weeks? I’m sure the spam folder of your email inbox is full of phishing emails, as well. I bring this up not to induce fear, but to remind you of the importance of vigilance.

The details of scams vary from scheme to scheme. However, many have a few common denominators. Just about all of them involve a telecommunication method these days. Additionally, they often involve a phone number or email address that you won’t recognize. Whether the message claims to be your bank, a police agency, a commerce business, or anyone else, it’s best to reach out to that entity through a verified contact method rather than the number or email address that you’re urged to contact.

Some other common themes with scams: The scammer will often remain on the phone with you as they direct you to your local bank. He or she will tell you how to respond if someone warns you that you are being scammed. These are abnormal behaviors that should be red flags.

To their credit, financial institutions generally do a great job training their tellers on signs to look out for in the event a potential victim comes to their window. Trust the teller. If they suggest that you are being scammed, take a step back and think about their advice before acting.

Safeguarding your personally identifiable information also extends to your driveway. If you leave your vehicle unlocked, thieves have access to everything in it. That could include your driver’s license, registration and insurance information. In the wrong hands, details from those documents, particularly your driver’s license, could be used against you. If it is lost or stolen, it’s a good idea to freeze your credit.

You may be thinking, “There’s no way. I would never fall victim to an internet or text message scam.” Think again. It could happen to anyone. All it takes is one brief moment of chaos or confusion.

What is the Erie County Sheriff’s Office doing about this? We are lucky that our investigative services team includes detectives who are at the top of their game when it comes to battling cybercrime and fraud. If you become a victim, each minute counts. Call the Erie County Sheriff’s Office or your local police agency as soon as possible.