By Cass Rains, Staff Writer
Although the methods may have changed the goal remains the same — there always will be those looking to defraud others.
As consumers have moved from checks to debit cards, and from letters to e-mails, scammers have changed their methods right along with consumers.
“Debit card scams are probably the biggest things we see,” said Det. Sgt. Ryan Singleton with the Enid Police Depart-ment. “We don’t see as many cases with checks these days because everyone is using debit cards or paying electronically.”
With online bill paying, e-mail and social networking sites all growing in use and popularity, the opportunities for criminals grow, too.
“As the information highway gets bigger and more accessible it gets bigger and more accessible for someone looking for a handout or looking to steal from somebody,” Singleton said. “Inevi-tably, everyone is going to be a victim of some type of fraud in their lifetime.”
Garfield County Undersheriff Jerry Niles said with the expansion of the Internet in most everyone’s daily life it’s easier for someone wanting to exploit you and to know more about you.
“Never put a Social Security number on a social networking page or your driver’s license for that matter,” Niles said. “I would not put your complete date of birth on a social networking site either.”
Preventive measures
“When you get a lot of junk mail the best thing to do is shred it,” Singelton said.
Periodically checking bills and banking statements can help catch fraudulent char-ges early.
Niles suggested monitoring credit history using annual free credit reports from three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
“Do your free credit checks,” Niles said. “If you use one, you should check it almost quarterly.”
Niles also suggested taking advantage of accounts that can be viewed online and regularly check those.
“As long as you keep an eye on your bank statements you can keep it from ruining you financially,” Singelton said. “Just keep a real close eye on bank statements.”
He said to check accounts for a “flurry of activity.” If an account number has been stolen or compromised those who stole the number are going to make three or four transactions in close succession.
“They’re trying to get it done before someone notices,” Singelton said.
Old tricks, new methods
Niles said the sheriff’s office used to investigate real letters coming from Nigeria or West Africa claiming a lottery had been won or a distant unknown relative had bequeathed a fortune in a will. However, a fee was required to release the winnings or the inheritance.
Although the content remains the same, the letters are now e-mails and people still fall for the trick contained within.
“Now, everyone gets these on the Internet and it’s from all over,” he said. “Now it’s the Canadian lottery or the Irish lottery.
“If it seems too good to be true, it’s not true.”
Singleton also said everyone should be leery of unexpected and unrealistic windfalls of fortune.
“If somebody sends you a letter saying you won $800,000 and you have to send money to collect that prize — it’s a scam,” he said. “If you didn’t enter a contest, I don’t know how you could win a contest.”
“If it’s a legitimate lottery, there is no service fee included,” Niles said.
Charitable giving
“For those that give, give to your charities,” Singelton said. “If you don’t know the person calling be wary.”
“It’s good to be charitable,” Niles said. “Be charitable to local charities. We have countless local charities that need assistance year-round.”
Niles suggested doing research into an organization or charity before making a donation, “especially if someone calls saying they represent a charity in your area.”
He said to call that organization and check if what you are told is true.
“Most organizations don’t do phone solicitation,” he said. “They do mail outs.”
If you plan to donate to a charity that has sent something in the mail, Niles said to check the return address provided and ensure it goes to where it should.
“If it’s an address out of the country,” he said, “that’s a red flag.”
Victimized
“If you are victim of fraud, report it to law enforcement immediately,” Singleton said.
He said most scams operate out of state or out of the country. The sooner fraud is reported, the better the chance there is to make a case.
“When it happens, it usually happens from out of state,” Singelton said.
