FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: JANUARY 23, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE – BEWARE OF EXTORTION SCAMS
Have you received a call or email pressuring you to send money, or else. . . Almost always a threat designed to frighten you into handing over your money is a scam according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs (340-3260).
The scammer may call you and pressure you into paying immediately and threaten to send law enforcement to your house if you refuse. The threats may include the threat of an arrest.
Scammers will also send emails claiming you owe money for things like speeding tickets, tax debts or payday loans. The scammers may purport to be representatives of the FBI, various law firms or other legitimate sounding agencies, including local law enforcement. According to District Attorney Holley Carnright, no member of any Ulster County law enforcement agency will ever threaten to arrest you unless you pay them money.
If the scam is sent by email, it is likely to include an attachment or link to a fake website where you will be asked to download proof of the “bill”, “fine” or “delivery details”. Opening the attachment or downloading the file could infect your computer with malware.
Consumer Affairs advises:
· Do not be pressured by a threatening caller.
· A government agency or legitimate company will never ask you to pay by unusual methods such as by gift or store cards, iTunes vouchers, wire transfers or Bitcoins.
· Do not respond to suspicious messages, texts or emails. If you do, the scammers will likely escalate their intimidation and attempts to get your money.
· If you receive an extortion-type call or email requesting immediate payment, file a complaint with the FBI at www.ic3.gov.