The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has observed an uptick in crimes related to technology and is offering residents some advice on how to avoid falling victim to such scams.
“Criminals commonly use fear and technology schemes to try to con their victims. Most scams are different variations of the same old trick: try to intimidate people into handing over valuable information or hard-earned money,” a sheriff’s office posting says.
The PSO shares these ‘red flags’ to help people to avoid becoming victims:
- Scammers often pretend to be from an organization you know, such as a government agency.
- Criminals make demands or requests for your personal information, such as social security numbers, account numbers or credit card information.
- Fraudsters will pressure victims to act quickly to resolve a problem in one phone call.
- Wrongdoers make requests for specific forms of payment that are difficult to trace, such as gift cards.
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office advises that if you are skeptical about suspicious behavior that may be a scam, call and report it to law enforcement immediately. Rapid reporting can help stop crime, and protect others from becoming a victim.
Published September 13, 2023
