NEW MADRID, Mo. — Every year con artists target millions of Americans in attempt to swindle them out of their money.
Unfortunately, said New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, these scams are plentiful and cost citizens a lot of hard-earned money each year. While there is little his office can do to recover money once it is sent, Stevens did have suggestions on how to prevent and report scams.
“If you are being asked for personal information, such as Social Security numbers, account information, credit card numbers, etc., it is most likely always a scam,” he said. “If you are being asked to send money to the caller in order to receive money, it is definitely a scam.”
At a recent training, New Madrid County investigators came across information on how to prevent and report scams which Stevens shared on the Department’s Facebook page. The information is also available at the U.S. Postal Investigation Service’s website, deliveringtrust.com.
According to the USPIS, all sweepstakes sponsors must disclose in their mailings:
• “No purchase necessary” and a purchase won’t increase odds of winning (in body of offer, rules and order or entry form);
• Rules, including odds of winning; quantity, value and nature of prize and payment schedule;
• Name of sponsor or mailer, including principal place of business or contact address;
• All terms and conditions, including entry procedures.
Scammers often target older Americans. However, there are a few protective measures that can be taken with the elderly beginning with a conversation about scams.
Other suggestions with the consent of the family member that could preserving their financial well-being include:
• Monitor all accounts for unusual activity;
• Identify unknown and recurring payments;
• Discuss repeated wire-transfer patterns or checks made out to cash;
• Look for stacks of sweepstakes offers or prize notification letters around the home;
• Talk about changes in living conditions such as living beneath one’s means, past due bills, etc.
Stevens said if an individual believes they or a family member is a victim of a scam or has a problem with a sweepstakes they should first contact the sponsor of the contest. If still not satisfied, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-2455 or postalinspectors.uspis.gov. Another contact is the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 or ftc.gov
“If you are not comfortable reporting it directly to the United States Postal Service, you are always welcome to contact us and we will attempt to relay the information,” Stevens said. The telephone for the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department is 573-748-2516.
“Remember, anytime someone is asking you to send them money in order for you to receive money, it is a scam,” he added. “If it sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam.