Thomasville Police warn of phone call scams
The Thomasville Police Department urges all residents and businesses to remain vigilant against phone call scams following two recent incidents where over $44,000 was sent to scammers.
Recent Scam Examples:
1. Local Business Scam: A local business received a call from someone claiming to represent the company managing their credit card machines. The caller instructed an employee to perform a "test" by refunding money to a credit card number. The employee, following the provided instructions, unknowingly sent money to the scammer.
2. Fake McAfee Refund Scam: A citizen received a call from someone claiming to represent McAfee Online Protection Security. The caller alleged the company had over-refunded her an amount of money and instructed her to deposit the "refund" into a Coinhub Bitcoin ATM at a local CBD shop.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never send money to someone you don’t know or haven’t verified.
- Do not act immediately. Scammers often use urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions.
- Verify the caller’s identity. Contact the company or individual directly using official contact information—not the number provided by the caller.
- Avoid unusual payment methods. Legitimate companies will not ask for payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- Hang up and report the call.
Where to Report Scams:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): http://www.ftc.gov/complaint
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): http://www.ic3.gov
- Local Law Enforcement: Contact the Thomasville Police Department or your local law enforcement agency.
Common Scammer Tactics:
- Pretending to represent government agencies, tech companies, or financial institutions.
- Creating a sense of urgency or fear.
- Asking for sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account information.
- Demanding payments via unconventional methods, such as gift cards or Bitcoin.
If You Receive a Suspicious Call:
1. Stay calm and don’t make any immediate decisions.
2. Hang up and call the company directly using official contact information.
3. Report the scam to the authorities listed above.
Let’s work together to protect our community from fraud. Stay informed, stay cautious, and always verify before you act. For more information or assistance, contact the Thomasville Police Department.
