CENTRE– The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain alert as phone scammers use increasingly convincing tactics to steal money and personal information.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers may pretend to represent a bank, government agency, utility company, or delivery service. In some cases, callers may even pose as a family member facing an emergency.
Although their stories may differ, the goal is often the same. Scammers attempt to create fear or urgency so the person receiving the call will act before taking time to verify the claim.
Warning Signs of a Scam
Residents should be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or warn of other serious consequences. Another major warning sign is a request for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment applications.
The Sheriff’s Office also reminds residents that caller ID information cannot always be trusted. Scammers can “spoof” phone numbers, making a call appear to come from a familiar business, government agency, or local telephone number.
Residents should never provide personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller. That includes Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit or debit card numbers, passwords, and verification codes.
Stop and Verify the Call
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should hang up and independently contact the organization the caller claimed to represent. Residents should use a verified telephone number from an official website, account statement, or billing document instead of a number supplied by the caller.
Most importantly, residents should not allow threats or pressure to force them into making an immediate decision.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam to report the incident. Residents may contact the agency at 256-927-3365 or find additional information through its official crime-prevention page.
Officials are also asking residents to share the warning with family members and friends, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to high-pressure scam tactics.
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