Several times a month, someone reaches out to the Trinity Police Department to report a scam. The scam typically results in an individual sending money to an unknown person. Many times, the scammer has talked an individual out of a large sum of money from their limited life savings. Most of the time, these scams involve the elderly population in our area.
Let's discuss.
Elderly scams in Texas often include deceptive tactics like lottery scams, grandparent scams, and investment fraud, targeting seniors who may be isolated or vulnerable. It's crucial to stay informed and vigilant to protect our older adults from these financial exploitation schemes.
One of the scams we see locally is someone asking you to put money on gift cards, then mail the cards to them. We had one last month where an individual put $6,000 on several gift cards to a complete stranger. Once mailed, the money is lost. Many of the scammers are out of state and out of the country, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to hold someone responsible or for TPD to assist you with getting your money back.
The police, IRS, and other entities are not going to ask you for money to get yourself or a loved one out of trouble. If you are wanted, you will be located by the agency or provided with some type of certified mail or legal correspondence advising you to contact an agency. They will not ask you for money to make the problem go away.
If you're receiving a telephone call or an email, it's most likely a scam. If the person on the other line is making you promises that sound too good to be true, it's because it is. As my dad is fond of saying, nothing is for nothing and nothing is for free.
If your cellular telephone or computer has locked up because you were surfing a pornography site, the alert will ask for money to unlock your device. It’s a scam. Your telephone or computer has been infected with a virus. Sending money will not release or debug your device.
Educate your family members, stay informed, limit individuals' access to your bank accounts, and verify information. Ask questions. I would encourage all of you, regardless of age, to check with a family member or friends before sending money or sharing personal information with others, especially strangers. If you believe you have been scammed, reach out to the law enforcement agency in your area for assistance and guidance. Stay vigilant.
Call us if you need us.
Steven Jeter is Chief of Police in Trinity.
