Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Issues Warning About Scams

COOKEVILLE, T.N. — In today’s world, technology has aided in many great advances. However, one negative would be how it is used to commit scams on unsuspecting people. There are many ways they are done but many start in the shape of an email.

Yes, many look real and use what may look like a real website and document headings. You should be aware that most companies, government agencies, credit card companies and banks will NOT randomly send you and email asking for your information.

Here are some popular scams that you should be aware of:

Scams that use the Microsoft name or names of other well-known companies. These scams include fake email messages or websites that use the Microsoft name. The email message might claim that you have won a Microsoft contest, that Microsoft needs your logon information or password, or that a Microsoft representative is contacting you to help you with your computer. (These fake tech-support scams are often delivered by phone.)

Lottery scams. You might receive messages that claim that you have won the Microsoft lottery or sweepstakes. These messages might even look like they come from a Microsoft executive. There is no Microsoft Lottery. Delete the message.

Rogue security software scams. Rogue security software, also known as “scareware,” is software that appears to be beneficial from a security perspective but provides limited or no security, generates erroneous or misleading alerts, or attempts to lure you into participating in fraudulent transactions. These scams can appear in email, online advertisements, your social networking site, search engine results, or even in pop-up windows on your computer that might appear to be part of your operating system, but are not.

What to do if you think you have been a victim of a scam

If you suspect that you’ve responded to a phishing scam with personal or financial information, take these steps to minimize any damage and protect your identity.

Change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts that you think might be compromised.

Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial advisor if you’re not sure how to do this.

Contact the bank or the online merchant directly. Do not follow the link in the fraudulent email message.

If you know of any accounts that were accessed or opened fraudulently, close those accounts.

Routinely review your bank and credit card statements monthly for unexplained charges or inquiries that you didn’t initiate.

If you have been a vicitim of a scam or theft, you are not alone, please call your local law enforcement agency to report the crime.