Robo calls, scams and more from Lt. Jeff Stritesky

Hardly a soul has not received a robo call. Matter of fact most people will get numerous robo calls per day. “Sometimes they even come from your own phone number,” said Stritesky.

He has gives advice as that part of the Sheriff’s Dept. that takes care of crime prevention. He said, “At this point, there are no laws against spoofing.” (Though over the weekend Sen. Mark Warner announced a campaign to address the situation in congress.) “If you answer a robo call. Immediately hang up. Do not engage the caller. It you hear a pause after answering you know those are calls rolling through to the next operator.”

So now you know spoofing is legal. Most of these scams are aimed at older adults, but can happen to anyone. “If you or your parents or friends are called, it is best to not deal with unsolicited people you do not know on the phone when doing business.” He said.

A person feels engaged by these friendly people. Or they feel compelled when threatened, to handle what is being held against them before it is too late or feel emabrrased by the situation they are in.

There are apps on cell phones that will screen phone calls. Investigate a free one. But do not give out any personal or financial information on an unsolicited phone call.

As for scams. There are not frozen accounts in Social Security. Stritesky said, “Don’ t fall for this or the IRS scams. If the government wants you, they will send you a letter. Remember most of these call originate outside of the US in a giant warehouse or call center. These callers get up and go to scammer jobs. That is their way to earn a living.”

Recently people are receiving calls from Microsoft, Apple and other network providers to gain access to the home computer. Do not fall for this scam. There are billions of computers, they cannot randomly access them. The scam idea is to get to your personal and financial information.

Screen calls though a message machine or app as well. Most robo callers do not leave messages.

A new free money in email scheme is out offering a deposit in your bank account. As always, do not give out personal information to people you do not know. “If it sounds too good to be true, it is,” said Stritesky.

Hang up, delete, do not engage. Best advice ever.

–Cathy Benson