Summit County residents are receiving telephone calls that offer them gift certificate, vacations and other great items. The problem is, it is a scam.
One consumer stated that she got a call offering prizes because she had shopped at Wal-Mart. For them to send the prize they needed to confirm the consumer’s bank card number. When she began asking questions the caller hung up.
Protect yourself. The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” tends to be so in most cases.
Use caution. If an unsolicited caller asks for personal information, do not give it. More of these con artists are using gimmicks such as prizes to lure you into their webs and convince you it is a legitimate offer.
These artists may tell you that they are affiliated with the government, large chain or department stores, banks, credit card companies and the list goes on and on.
Director of the Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs states that it was luck that this consumer suspected it was a scam and contacted their office.
“Residents continue to be our eyes and ears alerting us to scams in our community,” according to the office.
For more information on this or other scams contact 330-643-2879 or visit www.co.summit.oh.us/conaffairs/htm .
Tips for protecting yourself:
- Never give any personal identifiable information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know for certain that you are speaking to the correct person.
- Do not pay a handling fee or provide a credit card number or information about your savings or checking account in order to win a prize.
- Do not wire a payment or send a check through an express courier service
- Stop telemarketing calls by singing up for the National Do Not Call Registry. All you need to do is register your home and cell numbers by calling 888-382-1222 or online at www.donotcall.gov.
- Report scams whether you are a victim or not.
