The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office recently issued a News Release warning the public about several different scams that are currently going around.

The first con begins with a caller stating that you’ve won some type of sweepstakes contest and that you will need to send a money order or another form of money in order to for them to send you the money that you have won.  They are very persistent in regard to you sending them the money, sometimes to a foreign address.  Don’t do it.  You haven’t “won” anything.  In a legitimate contest, you never have to pay anything up front to collect your winnings.

The second scam going on is a call stating that they are with the IRS and that you owe them money and that you need to send a money order.  If you receive one of these telephone calls do not respond.  The IRS simply doesn’t work that way – they don’t contact you by phone, if they have an issue with you, you’ll receive notification via the U.S. Mail. 

The third scam is a telephone call telling you that a family member has been in an accident and since they were at fault, they’re being taken to jail if you don’t send $4,000.  Again, it’s a con.  Think before you act.  Things just don’t work that way in the real world.

Chief Deputy Michael Edmondson says “I know some of these calls can be alarming, but you have to realize that the IRS, Police Departments and Sheriff’s Office never solicits money for any reason. Please protect your personal information and all of your account information and don’t give it to others.  NEVER send any money without checking things out first.” 

Bear in mind we’ve seen all of these scams at one point or another here in Cherokee County and in all likelihood, we’ll see them again. 

Common sense – it’s a wonderful thing – and scammers absolutely hate to run into anybody that knows how to use it.