KC Sheriff warns about scams in area

By BECCA MURPHEY

This weekend “phishing” scammers were busy in all areas of Kaufman County seeking residents confidential information.

Scammers presented themselves as representatives from a local bank, calling residents with a pre-recorded message warning of account suspension and seeking pin codes and confidential information, according to Pay Laney public information officer with the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department.

Some residents also received calls and texts asking them to reset their debit card pin numbers.

“If you received one of these calls and provided the information, please contact your area local bank as soon as possible,” Pat Laney said.

According to Laney, “phishing” (pronounced fishing) is exactly what thieves are doing.

“They are fishing for any type of personal financial information,” Laney explained.

‘Phishing’ scams take many forms. It can be an email, a telephone message to your home or cell phone and even a cell phone text message. These scammers will use various ways to contact you, “phishing” for one thing-your personal information.”

To help keep county residents from falling victim to such scams, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office is offering the following tips:

• Never provide your personal information to an unsolicited email, telephone call or a text message. Remember, if you did not initiate the call, text or email, do not give out any personal information.

• Never provide your password or pin number over the telephone or when replying to an unsolicited email or text message. Institutions, especially financial institutions, will never ask you to verify any account or personal information online, over the telephone or through a text message.

• If you believe that it may be a legitimate telephone call or email, visit or contact the institution directly, by using a telephone number or web site you have verified yourself. Verify those numbers through published sources like a telephone directory or on a web site.

• A monthly statement, such as your bank statement, is another source for verifying legitimate telephone numbers and websites.

• Review your account statements regularly as well. Checking your accounts through an online internet banking program gives you the ability to view your accounts on a daily basis to catch any suspicious activity, rather than waiting for your monthly statement.

• Do not be intimidated by an email, caller or text message. Be suspicious of an email, caller or text message suggesting that if you do not respond immediately with account information or verify account information, your account will be in jeopardy.

• If you receive a suspicious email, text or telephone call, report it to the business or institution immediately. If it is an email, forward the email to the business or institution. Provide the fraudulent telephone number that you have been directed to contact, if you received a text message or telephone call.

• Report all suspicious contacts to the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.

Residents who suspect they have fallen prey to a “phishing” scam should contact their personal banking institution immediately.

“If you disclosed any personal or confidential information in a “phishing” scam, contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your file,” Laney said.

“This will prevent the scammers from opening new accounts in your name.”

Email Becca Murphey at reporter@cedarcreekpilot.com