Scams are everywhere now and come in many different forms. The Bibb Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Section gets numerous emails each week from Neighborhood and Business Watch members regarding scams and we pass that information onto our Email Update subscribers. Thanks to all of you for keeping us informed and participating in the Email Update program. Rather than describe each scam; here are some basic rules to go by to avoid being the victim of a scam.

• If a bank needs vital information from you regarding your account, they will mail you a notice, not email you.
• If you get mail requesting information regarding your account, you can go to or call the local branch to confirm the request and pass on the required information.
• Never give out your personal information or account information over the phone, internet or to an unfamiliar mailer.
• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
• No one who finds a large sum of money or obtains a large sum of money through less than legitimate channels is going to approach you in a parking lot and offer to share it. This is a scam. Report anyone doing so to law enforcement.
• If someone has just met you in a bar or parking lot and offers you a chance to obtain expensive electronics at half price because he “has a friend that works in the store”, this is not Christmas Spirit-it is a scam, (not to mention illegal). Keep your money and call law enforcement immediately.
• Your credit card company should already know your vital information including account and security numbers. If someone calls you on the phone claiming to be from your credit card company, and asks for this information, it is a scam. The most popular version of this is someone claiming to be with loss prevention reporting that someone else has used your card number. Hang up and call the number on the back of your credit card (not the one he/she gives you) or your issuing bank.
• If you sell items over the Internet and someone has sent you a $4,000 check for the $10 (one of a kind) vase you found at a yard sale and wants you to cash the check and send him the change, the check or money order is counterfeit. Keep your money and your one of a kind vase and call law enforcement.
• I tried this one myself with a camera phone. I suppose it is remotely possible for someone to obtain a photo of your credit card while standing in line behind you. Most of these phones do not have the capability to focus that tightly. We had to hold our phone directly over the card to obtain a useable photo. Always be aware of your surroundings. The person pointing a cell phone directly at your checkbook or credit card may be up to something.
• Let’s face it … most of us just aren’t lucky enough to be the last living relative of a deceased millionaire in a foreign country. This one falls under the “too good to be true” rule. If someone calls or emails to inform you that you are then states you will have to pay $3,000 in advance for taxes and fees on the inheritance, it is a scam. If they ask for your account information to “transfer the funds”, the only transfer will be from your account to theirs. If this happens to you and it isn’t a scam, remember that tax-deductible donations to the Crime Prevention Section are always welcome.
• Many scam artists target the elderly. Let’s all watch out for our older friends, relatives and neighbors. They are usually the anchors and backbones of Neighborhood Watch groups. Bankers can make inquiries on unusual / large withdrawals or suspicious checks and money orders. Friends, neighbors and relatives: encourage them to ask your advice on important issues. If they don’t have email, print these tips and others for them or simply slip them into your next conversation. In short, they took care of us so let’s take care of them.