Sheriff Spike warns of common scams
Penn Yan, NY – The Yates County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into a series of scams targeting senior citizens, resulting in the loss of several thousand dollars. Sheriff Ron Spike issued a warning about these fraudulent schemes in a recent news release.
In some of these cases, senior residents are reporting encounters with deceptive computer pop-up messages that falsely accuse them of crimes such as pornography, embezzlement, or other illegal activities. These messages often claim that the victim’s computer is locked due to a virus and provide a telephone number for assistance.
Sheriff Spike emphasized that these pop-ups are typically spam and fake alerts, often referencing supposed police or federal law enforcement involvement. The scammers typically demand a specific amount of money to resolve the situation.
“Usually, the scammers will specify an amount to pay and a method of payment that may include wire transfers via services like Western Union or Walmart, or digital payment apps like Venmo or Cash App. They may even request cash or checks,” said Sheriff Spike. “Sending the victim to their bank to withdraw cash is a common tactic used to exploit elderly individuals.”
The Sheriff’s Office is also receiving complaints about phone calls and emails following a similar pattern.
“These calls frequently involve accusations of wrongdoing and instructions for sending money to clear the alleged cases or to release a family member from a correctional facility,” Sheriff Spike explained. “These are fraudulent schemes, and there is no foolproof way to prevent scammers from targeting older individuals. Our best defense is understanding these crimes and taking steps to prevent them.”
Sheriff Spike advised anyone who receives such calls, emails, or computer pop-ups to avoid taking immediate action as suggested by the scammer. Instead, individuals should contact a trusted family member or local law enforcement to initiate an investigation.
“The recovery of lost assets is exceptionally challenging, as many of these scammers operate from foreign countries. Legitimate businesses or agencies, such as Microsoft, do not use these tactics to contact individuals. They will not reach out via phone or pop-up windows on your computer,” Spike warned.
He urged seniors not to disclose any financial information to anyone unless they are entirely familiar with the person and the reasons behind the request. Con artists are skilled manipulators who seek to deceive and steal from unsuspecting victims.
Additional resources and information about protecting against such scams can be found through the Office for the Aging and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, both online and at local service sites.
