FBIscam SAMPLE DOCUMENT
NEWS RELEASE
New “Security Clearance” Scam Seeks Personal Information, Money
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2011
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) encourages citizens to become familiar with common methods used by scam artists to fraudulently obtain personal and financial information from victims.
The WCSO recently became aware of an e-mail scam that uses forceful words that demand recipients provide their full name, address and telephone number to a specific e-mail address within 24 hours to avoid arrest. The fraudulent e-mail attempts to convince recipients that the e-mail was sent by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The e-mail further discusses the importance of security clearances and that recipients should send $350 to the FBI or DHS to avoid arrest.
Identity thieves and scam artists may pose as someone with a legitimate need to gain access to personal and financial information, such as check and credit card account numbers, social security numbers or bank account passwords.
Criminals may use fictitious telephone, website or e-mail messages to inform victims that their information has already been jeopardized. For example, victims may receive a telephone call warning that their account has recently been exposed to fraudulent activity. Victims are asked to “verify” their credit or debit card number and security code on the back of the card. If the victim received an e-mail message, he or she is directed to click on a link within the message so he or she can “confirm” his or her bank account information.
The WCSO encourages citizens to become familiar with the following safety tips to prevent scammers from fraudulently obtaining personal or financial information:
• Never provide your bank account number or personal identification number without first contacting the financial institution’s telephone number that is listed on the back of your credit or debit card
• Never send a money transfer, in the name of a friend or relative, with the intention of changing the name to someone you have not personally met
• To be on the safe side, report possible telephone or Internet scams to law enforcement
Presently, there have been no victims of the “security clearance” scam reported to the WCSO.
www.waltonso.org
