Although the holidays are usually a time of great celebration and much happiness, it is also a time when money scammers are working overtime.  Please take precautions not to fall victim to a scam this holiday season.  The police department is already seeing an upswing in people falling for scams and loosing out on often large sums of money.  Please take the following information under advisement:

How you might be solicited for a scam:

• Computer
• Telephone
• Text message
• Regular mail

Common Scams:

• You won a foreign lottery, just pay the fee and we'll send you your winnings
• You inherited money, just pay the fee and we'll send you your inheritance.
• I'll pay you more than what you're asking for your item for sale and you pay me back the difference
• Computer viruses that tell you to contact Microsoft of any other company, then request money to "unlock" your computer
• You haven't paid your taxes, the police are coming unless you send us money.
• Your relative has been kidnapped and is being held over seas, send us money.
• Anything where someone tells you that you have to send them money.

Who is Targeted:

• Elderly
• Recent immigrants
• People with mental health issues
• Everyone!

The easiest way to avoid a scam is to use common sense.  If you have to send someone money to collect winnings, it's a scam.  You can't win the Jamaican lottery if you've never played the Jamaican lottery!  If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  

If you have contact with any of those "at risk" groups listed above, please keep a close eye on them, ask questions, and talk about common scams.  If there is some question as to whether it could be a scam or not, call your local police department and ask.  If we all stay vigilant, look out for one another and use common sense, we can all have a wonderful holiday and start off 2019 without being a victim!

Merry Christmas