Emergency and grandparent fraud scams on the rise

The RNC is warning about an increase in telephone fraud scams, specifically emergency or grandparent fraud scams.

Residents are receiving these calls, emails or text messages from fraudsters impersonating government officials, well-known companies, and family members.

While these scams are not new, the RNC has been notified that there has been an increase in these types of fraud schemes.

These impersonators attempt to defraud people by using manipulation and scare tactics. Common schemes claim that a loved one is arrested, has been in an accident or some other scenario requiring immediate assistance.

The RNC has provided some tips:

• If you receive a call from anyone claiming to be law enforcement, looking to obtain personal information, end the conversation and contact your police agency directly.

• If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be a family member who is arrested, in hospital, or in an emergency requiring immediate money transfers, hang up the phone and contact the person and/or agencies mentioned. Please use assistance from family or friends to verify the complaint and confirm the well-being of the individual stated by the fraudsters.

• Use caution posting online. Fraudsters can gather information from your social media accounts that will make their claims of sound legitimate.

• Don’t trust a number just because it is local or familiar. Fraudsters may use technology that will disguise their actual contact.

• If you receive any type of unsolicited mail, phone call, email or text message that asks for any type of personal information, do not respond and delete or discard it immediately.

• If you are conducting any type of business online or over the phone to make sure you know who you are dealing with.