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Last updated on Tuesday, April 23, 2013
(ORANGE COUNTY) - The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents about several scams.
According to Public Information Officer Bill Fullington, police had received several calls reporting a variety of scams involving internet and telephone transactions.
"Those responsible for these scams continue to create new versions of the them and are very clever in their attempts to obtain personal information that can be used to empty unsuspected victims' bank accounts," Fullington wrote in a press release.
A common scam that is occurring is for a person to call an elderly person and claim to be a relative, typically a grandchild. The caller will then state that they are in trouble and need money wired to them immediately to get out of that trouble. The caller is very persuasive.
"Anytime someone is asking you for personal information, be wary," says Orange County Sheriff Richard Dixon. "Every week we see new variations of these scams. Most of us have the tendency to believe that everyone is sincere and honest."
Police say never give your personal information such as social security number, bank accounts numbers or credit card numbers over the phone. If the caller claims to be from you bank, call your local branch and discuss the call with someone at the local branch.
"If the caller claims to be from a government office, look up the published phone number for that office and give them a call," Dixon says. "If the caller claims that someone you know is in trouble and needs money wired immediately to get out of trouble, check with other people to verify the story. We no longer live in a world in which we can trust everyone. Be cautious."
Anyone who receives any type of solicitation that might be fraudulent should contact police immediately.
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