Beware of Mail Scams Targeting Our Area

The Sheriff’s Office has received two mail scams in the last two days from residents in Prowers County. They are two separate scams requiring the resident to cash a check, which is fraudulent, and send money to someone for the release of a larger amount of money. Once again we would like to keep the residents of Prowers County informed, and aware of the presence of these frauds and scams to prevent victimization.

One is titled “Green Financial Solution, Inc.” out of Woodbury, CT. Delivered through Canada Royal Mail, which references a final payout for the “UK & North America Customer Reward Sweepstakes”. The resident was selected because they shop at Wal-Mart, Sears, Home Depot, Safeway, and ASDA. They are guaranteed $50,000.00 if they cash the enclosed check for $4,450 to pay and offset taxes of $3,400. The check is from Farmers Insurance Company, Inc. in Pocatello, ID 83204, with several other addresses throughout which do not fit: New Castle, DE, Dublin, Ireland, South Africa, Germany, Spain and France.

The second is delivered with a Canadian stamp and discusses payment of $199.778.85 on the behalf of a third party, Melinda Peake. It then asks for you to send an email so a hold on the check can be removed. It is signed Raymond Gomez with a Gmail account.

Remember to avoid these scams,

What Not to Do

Don’t send money to someone you don’t know.
Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back.
Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information.
Don’t play a foreign lottery.

What to Do

Know who you’re dealing with.
Know that wiring money is like sending cash.
Read your monthly statements.
After a disaster, give only to established charities. T
Talk to your doctor before you buy health products or treatments.
Remember there’s no sure thing in investing.

If someone contacts you with low-risk, high-return investment opportunities, stay away. When you hear pitches that insist you act now, that guarantee big profits, that promise little or no financial risk, or that demand that you send cash immediately, report them at ftc.gov.

Report Scams

If you think you may have been scammed:

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
• Visit ftc.gov/idtheft, where you’ll find out how to minimize your risk of identity theft.
• Report scams to your state Attorney General.

If you get unsolicited email offers or spam, send the messages to spam@uce.gov.

If you get what looks like lottery material from a foreign country through the postal mail, take it to your local postmaster.

Brought to you by: Colorado East Bank & Trust