The Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post reminds residents that scams can take many different forms, but if the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Most scams involve obtaining a victim’s personal information under false pretenses. The scammer usually portrays a sense of urgency, pretending to be an official of a legitimate organization to fool a victim into providing personal information.
In a new twist, post cards are being sent to residents advising of a free meal & learning about the benefits of emergency transportation coverage at a local pizzeria. The cards advise “seating is limited and to call and confirm your reservation now.” The local pizzeria that is listed has No Seating, as stated by the owner, when they became aware of the scam.
To avoid becoming a scam victim:
- Do not give personal information to unknown callers.
- Do not respond to unsolicited e-mails from unknown senders.
- Confirm the identity of a contact by independently speaking with the identified source (your bank, credit card company, government agency, etc.).
- Use a reliable source, such as the phone book, to confirm the contact’s phone number or e-mail.
- Report any suspicious contacts to police.
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