With holidays here, scams are in the air

Scam artists so bold they even target the local sheriff are something authorities want residents to beware of, especially during the yuletide season when con-artists are in full swing.

?We?ve been really concerned because we?ve had a lot of elderly folks coming in to a local store to purchase money orders to send overseas to Africa and places like that,? said Sheriff Jackie Matheny. ?We?re afraid some of these people may be the target of con artists who are either selling hard-luck stories or claiming they can make them lots of money as long as they send them money first or open up their bank accounts to them. People have lost thousands of dollars.?

One major scam, known as the Nigerian Scam, has circulated for decades and has again flourished over the Internet. The Nigerian Scam can be from anywhere as some of the latest versions have their roots in Canada and the northeastern United States.

The scam basically offers to place a large sum of money into the victim?s account for them to hold. In return, they will receive a large holding fee. However, when the victim gives out their account information, they find their savings and checking cleaned out.

?These folks aren?t selective as to who they?ll try since I got solicited by them recently,? said Matheny, noting investigators here are working to catch such con artists. ?But most of this is going on from overseas so there?s not much we can do except try to warn people not to give out their account numbers or send money.?

Matheny said the solicitation was official-looking and was even followed up by a phone call.

Chief investigator Herb Rowland pointed out another popular con is the lottery scam where the victim is told they have won a large amount of money and are asked to send a handling fee or deposit before their check can be mailed.

?You never, ever have to pay money up front when you?ve won a lottery or prize,? Rowland said. ?Anyone who says you have to send them money to get winnings is trying to con you.?

Matheny noted any offer which sounds too good to be true is usually too good to be true, and cautioned citizens, especially the elderly who are most often targeted, to use ?an abundance of caution? when answering any offer by Internet, letter or telephone solicitation.

?They make it sound real and legitimate because they are good at what they do, which is steal other people?s money,? Matheny said.

Anyone having questions regarding a questionable solicitation is urged to contact local law enforcement or the Better Business Bureau before sending any money or telling anyone their account numbers.