Today is National Slam the Scam Day!  There are so many scammers, imposters, telemarketers, emails, text messages, phone calls, and more that attempt to defraud citizens every day.  These scams often request personal information, banking or credit card details, or demand payment in the form of bitcoin, debit card, gift cards or money transfers, claiming a relative is in jail or hospital. They may also falsely assert that you owe taxes, have social security issues, missed jury duty, or have an outstanding arrest warrant.  DON'T FALL FOR IT!  If you get a call from someone or an organization that you don't know, HANG UP!  If you get a call, text or email that seems suspicious in nature from an organization that you are affiliated with, HANG UP, and look up the phone number to call them back.  Scammers are spoofing telephone numbers to look like legitimate businesses, agencies, and people.  Some of these scams also involve AI (artificial intelligence) generated voices, making it seem that you are talking to a real person.  

Protect yourself from scams by being cautious and seeking advice from friends or family members if you're unsure about a situation. If you suspect you've been scammed, report it to the authorities and file a report. If you've inadvertently shared sensitive financial information, contact your bank, credit card companies, and credit bureaus for assistance in cancelling and obtaining new accounts. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General aims to raise awareness about scams and provide guidance on protection. For more information, visit ssa.gov/scam.

The Stroud Area Regional Police remind citizens to protect themselves and to not give out any personal, banking, or credit card information to anyone they didn't contact themselves and to not send money, obtain bitcoin or gift cards as a form of payment if requested.  When in doubt, HANG UP!

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Slam the Scam

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