In the past week from January 29 to February 4, 2023, everything you need to know about scam calls and texts is displayed below in this article. For more reports about scam calls or texts to effectively avoid being trapped, click here.
Weekly Scam Alerts
Scam Calls Impersonating Law Enforcement
Multiple individuals are identifying themselves as Sheriff’s Officers and scam-calling area citizens for money. The first report came from the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office. VPSO said the individual identifies himself as Sgt. Taylor and calls in regards to active warrants for missing court. The individual may call from various phone numbers but 337-404-6562 Ext. 700 has been identified as a number used relating to the scam calls.
Keep in mind:
“A valid arrest warrant for the majority of time is served in person by law enforcement officials; however, in some circumstances, a law enforcement official may call you if you have a warrant, but under NO circumstance will that officer ever ask for money or any form of payment.”
CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF
News source: https://www.kplctv.com/2023/02/03/man-identifying-law-enforcement-officer-new-scam-call/
Threatening Scam Calls
A “bogus” phone scam is circling Allen County again that accuses citizens of missing jury duty, demands payment, and threatens jail time.
Allen Superior Court said in a release bogus calls have been reported this week demanding money to cover fines that resulted from skipping out on jury duty. The caller claims to be a police officer, saying a warrant has been issued for the juror’s arrest.
Keep in mind:
“The court does not call jurors or demand payments from them. Potential jurors are only ever contacted in writing, the release said, and personal information is never requested.”
ALLEN SUPERIOR COURT
Scam Calls Pretending to be the Sheriff’s Office
Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) reported that there is a scam call going around pretending to be the sheriff’s office.
According to OCSO, the caller identifies themselves as Captain Wallace with Olmsted County, who is a real Patrol Captain within the sheriff’s office. OCSO said the scammers are using a real officer’s name and spoofing the number to make the scam seem legit.
The caller is telling people that they have a warrant out for their arrest and if they pay by phone, the sheriff’s office would be satisfied.
Keep in mind:
“OCSO would never call someone and demand payment over the phone.”
OCSO
News source: https://www.kttc.com/2023/02/02/olmsted-county-sheriffs-office-warning-residents-scam-call/
Weekly Blocking Data by RealCall
Number of Scam Calls Blocked by RealCall
In the past week (January 29 to February 4), RealCall has blocked 263,333 suspicious calls for all users. Among all the blocked calls, 138,985 calls are blocked via RealCall Blocklist, 122,488 (rising by 1.01% than that last week) via RealCall VOIP number base, and 1,860 via RealCall toll-free number base.
The Riskiest Days during a Week
During the latest week, scam calls come most on Wednesday when 50,464 scam calls were blocked in all, then come Thursday (48,576 scam calls blocked) and Friday (48,560 scam calls blocked). So, stay on top alert this week on Wednesday!
Top Scam Call Type
In the latest week, IMPOSTER SCAMS have been the top scam call type.
The essential feature of imposter scams lies in the fact that scammers claim to come from an official organization and push victims to pay or provide personal information over calls.
For example, some scammers claim to be from Amazon customer service and tell victims about their account issues. The issues can never be solved unless they pay money.
Another example, some scammers claim to be from law departments or sheriff’s offices and threaten victims with fake criminal responsibility.
RealCall Tips to Avoid Scams
Remember the following scam-likely signs below to avoid most scams.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it often is.
- Not registered with the Attorney General’s Office
- Will NOT provide written information or references
- An investment without a risk
- Unresponsive to questions or too quick to answer by cutting you off
- Something for free
- Offer to send someone to your home or to overnight something
- Request a credit or debit card or any banking account information
- Immediate decision
- High-pressure sales or frequent calls
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