For More Information Contact:
Captain John Watterson
(845) 486-3860
Poughkeepsie…The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office would like to warn the residents of Dutchess County and surrounding areas about the possible increase in phone scams during the upcoming holiday season. There is normally an increase in these types of scams during the Christmas shopping season.
Phone scams are ways in which criminals will attempt to get money from people by calling them and making up elaborate stories. In most of these cases the perpetrators have tried, sometimes successfully, to use the victim’s emotions about a loved one in trouble to get money. It’s common for the perpetrators of these scams to try to get money by telling people that one of their relatives has been seriously hurt or is in jail, and that they need money right away. In many cases they will pose as a law enforcement official or another relative to try and convince the victim that it’s legitimate.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to offer the following tips for people to avoid these types of scams:
It is very important to not send any money to anyone that you don’t know until you’ve confirmed the situation through an independent source and feel comfortable with it. If it’s a scam once the money is sent it’s very difficult, and most times impossible, to get it back. If anyone thinks they may have been a victim of this type of scam in the past, or if they receive these types of calls in the future, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 845-486-3800 or via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE or dcsotips@gmail.com.