Yates County residents have lost more than $385,000 to scams so far this year, according to a warning issued Thursday by the county sheriff’s office.
The office’s Criminal Investigation Division said it continues to receive a heavy volume of fraud reports and urged residents to slow down when someone pressures them to make a quick decision or send money.
Investigators recommended verifying requests by calling an official number independently or contacting a family member, rather than relying on information supplied by the person demanding payment.
Urgent demands for gift cards, wire transfers or prepaid cards are warning signs, the office said.
Residents should be suspicious of callers claiming to represent a federal agency who threaten them or demand immediate payment over the phone.
The sheriff’s office also warned against clicking unsolicited pop-ups or using them to allow remote access to a computer or phone.
Lottery and sweepstakes pitches deserve scrutiny when they require money before a prize can be collected, including pressure to pay taxes upfront, investigators said.
People using online banking should carefully check the spelling and numbers associated with financial institutions.
The office urged caution with investment advertising, particularly offers received through social media and messaging services.
Before sending money, residents should talk with a trusted friend, family member or law enforcement, the alert said.
Anyone who believes they have been scammed should contact their financial institution, change passwords and file a police report, according to the sheriff’s office.
The office also directed victims to report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Local contacts listed in the alert are the Yates County Sheriff’s Office at 315-536-4438, Penn Yan Police Department at 315-536-4426 and State Police at 607-243-5772.
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