Walnut Creek Resident Falls Victim To $8,500 Phone Scam: Police

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A Walnut Creek resident sent $8,500 to a location in the state of Georgia as a result of a phone scam, according to the police department. Unlike most cases though, the resident got their money back.

Police departments and around the East Bay report an increase in scams being reported and they've implored residents to be extra careful with online shopping, and with appeals for donations.

The Federal Trade Commission reports that these are the most common phone scams:

• Imposter scams — A acammer pretends to be someone you trust — a government agency like the Social Security Administration or the IRS, a family member, a love interest, or someone claiming there’s a problem with your computer. The scammer can even have a fake name or number show up on your caller ID to convince you.
• Debt relief and credit repair scams — Scammers will offer to lower your credit card interest rates, fix your credit, or get your student loans forgiven if you pay their company a fee first. But you could end up losing your money and ruining your credit.
• Business and investment scams — Callers might promise to help you start your own business and give you business coaching, or guarantee big profits from an investment. Don’t take their word for it. Learn about the FTC’s Business Opportunity Rule, and check out investment opportunities with your state securities regulator.
• Charity scams — Scammers like to pose as charities. Scams requesting donations for disaster relief efforts are especially common on the phone. Always check out a charity before you give, and don’t feel pressured to give immediately over the phone before you do.
• Extended car warranties — Scammers find out what kind of car you drive and when you bought it so they can urge you to buy overpriced — or worthless — service contracts.
• “Free” trials — A caller might promise a free trial but then sign you up for products — sometimes lots of products — that you’re billed for every month until you cancel.
• Loan scams — Loan scams include advance fee loan scams, where scammers target people with a poor credit history and guarantee loans or credit cards for an up-front fee. Legitimate lenders don’t make guarantees like that, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy.
• Prize and lottery scams — In a typical prize scam, the caller will say you’ve won a prize, but then say you need to pay a registration or shipping fee to get it. But after you pay, you find out there is no prize.
• Travel scams and timeshare scams — Scammers promise free or low cost vacations that can end up costing you a lot in hidden costs. And sometimes, after you pay, you find out there is no vacation. In timeshare resale scams, scammers lie and tell you they’ll sell your timeshare — and may even have a buyer lined up — if you pay them first.

To keep from being the victim of a phone scam, the first advice is to simply hang up. Don't worry about being rude — you are stopping a crime.

Consider call blocking. If you have a landline, ask your phone company what they offer. For cell phones, check online reviews of call-blocking apps.

And finally, as mentioned above, don't trust your caller ID. Scammers can make it look like they're calling from the local police department, the social security administration, or any other phone number or agency.