Phone Scams - Don't be Scammed

·         If you get a call saying you’re a winner – don’t pay any money to collect supposed sweepstakes winnings. Legitimate operations won’t require you to pay to collect your winnings.

·         It’s against federal law to play a foreign lottery – so if you get a call it is likely a scam.

·         Never wire money to anyone with whom you are not familiar.

·         Never provide anyone with personal information such as bank accounts, pin numbers or Social Security numbers.

·         Check any unfamiliar area codes before returning calls.

·         Be aware that there are many 3-digit area codes that connect callers to international telephone numbers – especially 876.

·         If you do not have Caller ID, consider adding it to your phone service. Caller ID allows you to add a Call Intercept feature that screens calls and offers the option to reject suspicious international calls.

·         If you do not make international calls, ask your telephone provider to block outgoing international calls.

·         Contact your phone service provider, local authorities, or the Federal Trade Commission to report a potential scam.