NPD: New Scams using ‘Scare Tactics’ reported

From Newnan Police Department

The following message is from a January 27 Facebook post from the Newnan Police Department.

****Attention****

Recently there have been calls from people saying they’re with law enforcement (local, county, state, federal) using scare tactics on people to get them to give money through cards, digital payments, crypto, and even having someone drive to their homes and pick cash up.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT DO THIS!

There have been instances where family members recently arrested have been contacted by someone pretending to be a bonding company and then taking payment for their loved one’s “bond” through digital payment only to find out they were scammed.

DO NOT FALL FOR THIS!

There have been cases where people were on their computer and a pop-up comes on the screen telling them they’ve been “hacked” and to call a phone number. They call the phone number and are tricked or scared into sending cashier’s checks or allowing access into their computer for the technician to “fix the computer” or “scan for threats” only to have their money taken from them.

THIS IS A SCAM!

Scammers will impersonate anyone without fear of getting caught because they don’t leave much of a trail to follow.

• If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is!
• If there are spelling and/or grammar errors in an email from what looks like a well-known brand, then it’s probably a scam!
• If you’re told not to hang up the phone, then hang up the phone!
• If you’re told not to talk with anyone, then stop and ask a family member or friend for their input or opinions.
• If you’re told not to talk with law enforcement, then hang up and talk with law enforcement!
• If you just won a prize, or just got a refund in money then you shouldn’t have to pay any fees.

Things you see on social media are not always legitimate! Social Media isn’t always social!