WEATHER ALERT
Campbell County Sheriff’s Office warns of scammers impersonating retired deputies
Read full article: Campbell County Sheriff’s Office warns of scammers impersonating retired deputiesThe Campbell County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of several phone scams that involve scammers using retired deputies’ names and the sheriff’s office phone number.
Protect yourself from the latest scam, gift card draining
Read full article: Protect yourself from the latest scam, gift card drainingWhile it might seem like a good idea to buy a gift card for someone this holiday season, you might want to think twice since there’s a new scam going around called gift card draining.
Danville Utilities warns residents of door-to-door solicitation
Read full article: Danville Utilities warns residents of door-to-door solicitationWe’re told the person tells the resident that if the home qualifies, solar panels can be installed with no up-front costs. Then the person says there is a program that has cheaper rates that never rise.
‘I played stupid’: New York grandmother outsmarts phone scammer pretending to be her grandson
Read full article: ‘I played stupid’: New York grandmother outsmarts phone scammer pretending to be her grandsonA New York grandmother gave a phone scammer a run for his money when he tried to trick her out of thousands of dollars, NBC New York reports.
Giles County authorities share tips on how to avoid four common phone scams
Read full article: Giles County authorities share tips on how to avoid four common phone scamsTelephone scams have been on the rise and the Giles County Sherriff’s Office wants to help. Here are four common scams and tips to avoid them:If someone calls you through WhatsApp posing as a police officer, don’t fall for their tricks. The Giles County Sheriff’s Office wants you to know that a deputy would never call asking for money or to clear arrest warrants. Even if the caller ID shows a Virginia State Police phone number, still be skeptical because a caller ID is not always accurate. The Giles County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies will never ask for payments through gift cards.
Beware of scammers trying to sell COVID-19 vaccines online
Read full article: Beware of scammers trying to sell COVID-19 vaccines onlineRoanoke, Va. – From PPE to at-home tests, scammers are still preying on people during this pandemic. Better Business Bureau Western Virginia is warning people to not purchase coronavirus vaccines, especially online. She said scammers are taking advantage of people’s vulnerability during this pandemic. “I mean it’s just given them the perfect storm because obviously people are concerned,” Wheeler said. Instead, she urges people to rely on the state government’s distribution announcements and personal primary physicians.
Danville issues warning after scammers threaten people’s utilities to steal information
Read full article: Danville issues warning after scammers threaten people’s utilities to steal informationDANVILLE, Va. – If you get a call that your utilities will be disconnected in a half-hour, know this... it’s a scam. The city of Danville is warning residents that scammers are spoofing a local phone number as Danville Utilities to make calls threatening people. The caller claims to be with the utilities department, threatens to disconnect service if the customer does not make immediate payment and then asks for the customer’s debit or credit card number. Danville Utilities does not call customers about disconnects; rather, any notice of disconnection is done by mail. If you receive a call from someone you do not know and who is urging you to make a payment to Danville Utilities, write down the phone number, hang up and then contact the Division of Customer Accounts at 434-799-5125 or visit the Charles H. Harris Financial Service Center, which is located at 311 Memorial Drive.
No, Virginia’s coronavirus contact tracers will not ask for money or your SSN
Read full article: No, Virginia’s coronavirus contact tracers will not ask for money or your SSNRICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health is warning residents that scammers might call them posing as COVID-19 contact tracers in order to take their money. A news release from the department on Monday says its contact tracers will not ask for money or for a Social Security number, bank account details, credit card numbers or payment of any form. When they call, your phone will identify the caller as "VDH COVID Team," the release said. Also, contact tracers will offer to enroll Virginians in a voluntary contact monitoring platform called Sara Alert, so that they can update their local health departments as to their health status. The Sara Alert system is secure and always contacts users from the same phone number or email: 844-957-2721 or notifications@saraalert.org, the release said.
SCAM ALERT: Roanoke City Police Department warns about fake text messages
Read full article: SCAM ALERT: Roanoke City Police Department warns about fake text messagesROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke City Police Department said they’ve been made aware of a scam happening in Roanoke. The scam involves an individual posing as a member of the Roanoke City Police Department. The text encourages the intended target to call a specific number to take care of the warrant. The Roanoke City Police Department reminds people that they will not text anyone about warrants. If you receive this text message, police say to call them at (540)-853-2212 or stop by the station and speak with an officer.
How to make sure you’re not the victim of a pet scam
Read full article: How to make sure you’re not the victim of a pet scamDog breeder Atasha Loboschefski is no stranger to puppy scams. I was actually scammed myself several years ago when I tried to buy a puppy back in the Western Union-style days,” said Loboschefski. In November, 10 News told you about two websites, claiming to be local companies that the Roanoke Better Business Bureau determined were scams. Roanoke Better Business Bureau CEO Julie Wheeler said researching the company you’re going to buy from and the pictures on the company’s website is always a good idea and meet the dogs and breeder in person if you can. “Videos, pictures, live taping of things, live births, things like that.
Don’t fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts aren’t real
Read full article: Don’t fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts aren’t realJust a heads up: The U.S. Army is not sending out text messages to tell people they’ve been chosen for a military draft, officials from Recruiting Command said Wednesday. Even if there were a draft, it’s not a decision made by U.S. Army Recruiting Command. The Selective Service System, a separate agency outside of the Department of Defense, is the organization that manages registration for the Selective Service, officials said. The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist you into the military.
Floyd County Sheriff’s Office warns of scam
Read full article: Floyd County Sheriff’s Office warns of scamFLOYD COUNTY, Va. – The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a scam where fraudsters claim to be deputies and ask people for money. The caller allegedly had the correct last four numbers of the victim’s social security number. The impersonator’s phone number showed on caller ID as the sheriff’s office phone number. Officials with the sheriff’s office want to remind residents that deputies will never request money. If you receive a call like this, call the sheriff’s office at 540-745-9334.