The Washington Township Police Department would like to warn residents that during the holiday season, scammers are hard at work.
Recently, Washington Township officers handled a case that involved more than $20,000 in Bitcoin being scammed from a local resident.
“Under no circumstance will a government agency call and threaten you and threaten that if you do not pay money over the phone that you or your family member will be arrested,” Police Chief Michael Thompson said.
“The reality is, most victims of scam will never be reimbursed for the monetary value of the scam they were subjected to. Most scammers that we encounter are overseas and are nearly untraceable. “
If you feel you are being subjected to a scam, hang up immediately and do not provide the caller with any information, officers said.
Additionally, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office offers Cyber Monday holiday shopping tips to keep their personal information safe:
• Keep cybersecurity in mind — When shopping for deals online, don’t use free public Wi-Fi when entering sensitive information such as a credit card number. Keep apps, software and operating systems up-to-date and use secure websites whenever you need to enter personal information.
• Beware of e-skimming while shopping online — Cybercriminals can capture credit card and personally identifiable information by skimming your data online. Look for the “s” in “https” to ensure that a website is secure, and always double-check that the site you’re on is the company’s official (legitimate) site. Also, use credit cards instead of debit cards; credit cards have more safeguards.
• Check delivery dates and fees — Carefully review the expected delivery date and shipping costs before making a purchase. Find out whether you’ll be charged shipping or restocking fees if you return the product. Also, pick up delivered packages promptly so they’re not stolen or damaged outside your door.
• Beware of package tracking or account freezing scams — You may receive texts or emails alerting you of a shipping delay or that your account has been frozen. You may be asked to provide personal information or to click on a link for additional information. But providing personal information or clicking on unknown links could lead to financial harm or infect your computer with malware. Don’t click on links if you’re not sure who they are from.
• Monitor your accounts — Regularly check your credit card and bank accounts for unauthorized charges or unexpected activity. If you find problems, immediately notify your credit card provider or bank. The sooner you identify a problem, the sooner you can correct it.
Consumers who suspect an unfair business practice or want help addressing a consumer problem should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or (800) 282-0515.