Mail & Phone Scams

We have had several citizens come to the police department with letters they have received in the mail stating they have won some money in a lottery and all they need to do is send some money to the listed address to cover the taxes and they will receive a check for thousands of dollars.  THIS IS A SCAM.  Don’t send any money, you haven’t won anything.  They take your good money and you never hear another word from them, or they may even be bold enough to send you another letter stating that wasn’t enough and they need more.  Don’t send anything back. The best thing you can do is just throw away the original letter, don’t bring it to the police department, we know they are out there, but they are in another country and there is no way for us to investigate, prosecute anyone, or even get your money back for you.  If you have already been scammed and need a police report you can make one, but it is highly unlikely we will be able to get any restitution for you.

If it is a Phone Scam, tell the person you are not interested and hang up, do not wire any money anywhere.  They will state the same thing as the letter and even keep asking you to wire more and more money.  Don’t’ send any money and don’t give the person any information, the best thing to do is just hang up!