The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain vigilant as scammers continue using phone calls and text messages to impersonate banks, government agencies, law enforcement and other trusted organizations.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies receive multiple scam reports each day, with criminals continually changing their stories and tactics in an effort to obtain money or personal information.
Scammers may claim to represent a bank or fraud department, law enforcement agency, Medicare or Medicaid, or another organization. Residents are urged not to provide personal or financial information, send money or click links contained in unsolicited text messages.
The Sheriff’s Office said one of the biggest warning signs is an unexpected call concerning a problem the recipient knew nothing about, particularly when the caller creates a sense of urgency and demands immediate payment.
Officials advise residents who receive such calls to hang up immediately.
Anyone concerned that a call may have been legitimate should independently locate the official telephone number for the business or agency the caller claimed to represent and contact that organization directly. Residents should not call a number supplied by the suspicious caller.
“Never use any phone numbers provided to you by a caller either,” DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Deputy Mark Pierce said. “We receive multiple reports a day, and every single one is different, but all of them can be avoided by simply hanging up.”
The Sheriff’s Office is also offering its “Surviving Scammers” presentation to local groups interested in learning more about recognizing and avoiding scams. Presentations can be arranged for small groups, apartment communities, facilities, churches and other organizations.
Those interested in scheduling a presentation may contact the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-872-3956, ext. 251, or contact Pierce at mpierce@dpso.org.