BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Sheriff's Office has been recently made aware of residents that have been targeted with scam phone calls.
The person conducting the scam call is pretending to be a member of the Erie County Sheriff's Office, and will tell callers that answer that it is an urgent civil matter.
Rarely does the ECSO communicate with people over the phone that are being served. If deputies to have to call, they will provide their name, and an Erie County phone number.
These are tips Erie County is sharing for signs of a scam
- Scammers try to appear legitimate. They may pretend to be a person or an organization that you know. These criminals may use technology to change their phone number and caller ID, create fake websites or social media accounts or use other tactics to misrepresent themselves.
- Scammers claim there is a problem or prize. They may use fear tactics to convince you that you owe money, there is a problem with your account or a family member needs cash for an emergency. They may also try to entice you to provide personal information or pay a fee to receive a prize.
- Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may use threats or other tactics to urge you to give personal information or money quickly before you have time to investigate their claims.
- Scammers demand a specific form of payment. They may insist that you send money through a wire transfer or gift card. They may also send a courier to your home to pick up the payment. Scammers may also send you a fake check in exchange for payment.
If you are the target of one of these phone calls please contact your local police agency immediately.
