West Cleveland News

Amidst the holiday shopping fervor, the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad alerts residents to a surge in imposter scams, where fraudsters impersonate entities like banks or law enforcement, resulting in substantial financial losses for unsuspecting victims. The escalating fraudulent activities have been observed predominantly during the busy holiday season.

The details of these deceptive practices are quite intricate. According to the press release, in a rising trend of imposter scams, deceitful individuals pose as representatives of banks, online shopping sites, or law enforcement, skillfully convincing people of fictitious problems within their accounts. The fraudulent scheme often involves instructing victims to download remote access software onto their computers, providing scammers with the means to fabricate a genuine issue, compelling individuals to pay for supposed resolutions.

Key officials have noted the worrying increase in such incidents. According to the press release, Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs, remarked that partner agencies of the Scam Squad are observing an increase in these scams, with certain victims disclosing losses amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Harris emphasized the importance of residents staying vigilant and alert to safeguard themselves from falling victim to scams.

The recommended preventive measures necessitate active participation from consumers themselves. According to the press release, to safeguard themselves, residents are advised to refrain from responding to unexpected calls, texts or emails regarding pending charges or account issues. Instead they should verify account status by logging in as usual or using a verified number from a statement. It's crucial to recognize that legitimate banks retailers and law enforcement will never request remote access to a computer or ask individuals use their money for an investigation. Furthermore residents should avoid complying with instructions provide cash to a courier or convert significant sums into gift cards or bitcoin as these requests are typical of fraudulent schemes.