El Paso Sheriff’s Office Warns Of Scams

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office White Collar Crime Unit is warning El Paso and the surrounding community about ongoing scams that are hitting the area.

There has been a surge of cases where individuals have recently come forward claiming to be victims of online scams.

Sheriff’s detectives have provided some indicators of probable fraudulent activity or “scams”: – Payment in advance for products or services – Using a wire transfer, Western Union, money order, postal order, etc. to complete a transaction, especially in advance of the receipt of goods or services – Any mail soliciting employment as a “Secret Shopper” – Any phone calls from “your favorite grandson,” or a dear friend stating they need money to pay for damages sustained in a traffic accident in Canada – Letters, emails, or phone calls from an “Investigator” from a bank or credit card company requesting detailed information (Credit Card number, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, etc.) to continue an investigation, or demanding monies be drawn from your account to continue an investigation – Goods offered for sale on Craig’s List that require payment, sight unseen, for receipt of the offered good

Regarding internet transactions, unless the sale is initiated by the buyer from a reputable business, it should be considered suspect.

You can report these crimes to the FBI or to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.