Telephone scammers are at it again. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department has received numerous reports from local residents of a variety of suspicious calls from people seeking to have money wired to them for various reasons. These include winning a Publisher’s Clearinghouse sweepstakes or other prize and having a grandchild in jail. Most of the calls seem to be targeting elderly people. Sheriff’s department officials urge anyone who gets such a call not to send money, no matter how persuasive the person on the other end of the phone is. Funds sent via wire transfer or prepaid debit card are nearly impossible to recover. Hang up on the caller, and ignore them if they call you back. Another scheme involves an offer to pay significantly more than an item you are selling is worth. The “buyer” will send a check, instruct you to deposit it into your account and send the difference back. The checks are counterfeit, but the consumer does not realize this until the transaction clears and they are hit with fees. If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, contact the Starke County Sheriff’s Office at 574-772-3771.
