Scammers are at it again, sheriff says

Published 8:25 am Friday, April 8, 2011

Sheriff Kenny Harden wants Butler County Citizens to be on the lookout for scams.

Harden said his department has received several calls recently from residents who had been contacted with claims that they had won money, usually large amounts $100,000 or more.

It’s an age-old trick, but Harden said the scammers are at it again.

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“If you receive a phone call saying you’ve won money, but you never filled out anything, it’s a scam,” Harden said. “The best thing to do is just hang up.”

Harden said the scammers sometimes ask you to wire money to claim your prize.

“There is virtually no way to catch these people,” Harden said. “They will ask you to wire money to say, California, but they might pick it up in Florida.”

Harden said some residents have even received official-looking checks.

“When you go to cash it, the bank will cash it but then the bank will come back to you for the money cause they are bogus checks,” Harden said.