The Canton Police Department issued a warning to residents about an increase in various scams happening throughout Stark County.
“Our department has investigated a number of thefts by deception in which the suspect claims to be a law enforcement officer during a telephone call,” a press release from the Canton Police Department read.
The phone scams go as follows:
• Telling the victim that he or a family member has warrants and must either pay a fine or send bail money.
• Suspects posing as workers from the Social Security Administration or Amazon.
“In all of these scams, suspects will demand immediate action, soliciting victims to send cash or gift cards,” the police department said.
Below are tips to protect yourself against fraud:
· Never share personal information such as your social security number, date of birth or home address over the telephone or online to any source you do not know and trust.
· Never provide financial information like bank account number, credit card numbers or computer login information to anyone who contacts you on the telephone or online.
· Do not react out of fear! You have the right to verify the caller’s identity.
· If you do not know the caller and are unsure of what to do, just hang up.
· If you notice a missed call from an unknown number, do not call the number back.
· Legitimate companies DO NOT request payment in gift cards
If you find yourself in one of these situations, and are unsure of what to do, before providing any information or making a purchase, please call the Canton Police Department (330) 649-5800 for guidance. Unfortunately, these scams often target senior citizens and most of our recent victims are over the age of sixty-five.