According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, citizens are once again being targeted by phone scammers pretending to be either current or retired employees of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO says that all unexpected telephone calls from anyone claiming to be affiliated with the agency should immediately be terminated.
Additionally, tips for avoiding being scammed include:
- Be skeptical of unexpected calls.
- Never share sensitive information. Legitimate companies and government offices will not ask you for your Social Security number, credit card number, or banking PIN over the phone.
- Watch for pressure tactics. Scammers will often present a situation that feels urgent, in order to try to get the person they are scamming to panic and take action without thinking. Slow down and verify information before doing anything.
- Report suspicious phone calls. You can report fraudulent calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
And, as always, trust your instincts. If any phone call feels suspicious or off, you should terminate the call and reach out to the company/organization through their official number.
