2 Scams Making The Rounds In Dutchess: Sheriff's Office

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY— Two scams are making the rounds in Dutchess County, one of which includes an impersonation of the sheriff. The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said the latest scams involves Medicaid and identity fraud.

In one, the victim receives a call from someone who says they are Sheriff Butch Anderson, who then tells them they've been the victim of identity fraud.

In the second, the victims get a call from someone who says they are with Medicaid. They then proceed to them them about fake offers and service that Medicaid can provide them.

The Medicaid scam has used the phone number of 661-468-9066.

The two scams appear to be separate and unrelated. At this time, the sheriff's office has received no reports of anyone actually sending money to the scammers.

Authorities said it's important to never send any money to anyone you don't know until it's confirmed the situation is real. If it's a scam, once the money is sent, it's very difficult, if not impossible, to get it back.

If anyone thinks they've been a victim of a scam, they should call the sheriff's office at 845-486-3800 or the tipline at 845-605-CLUE. You can also email dcsotips@gmail.com.

The sheriff's office offers the following tips for people to avoid these types of scams:

• Do not meet up with someone that you don’t know; if you’re asked to do this it is surely a scam, and it is very dangerous as well.
• If you’re contacted by someone you don’t know asking for money, for any reason, that’s a signal that it’s most likely a scam.
• If someone calls you and tells you that a relative has been hurt or is in jail, confirm it first before sending any money. Call other relatives or a legitimate law enforcement agency for confirmation before any money is sent. If they’re posing as a relative, try and contact that relative for confirmation.
• Sending money overseas is especially risky; use extreme caution.
• Ask the person for their call back number and ask to speak to their supervisor to confirm the info; if it’s a scam they will most likely hang up at this point and the number they give you will be bogus.
• If the person is telling you that a loved one is in the hospital or jail, find out which one and contact the institution yourself to confirm.
• If a loved one has recently passed away be wary; in some cases perpetrators have even preyed on victims by searching through the obituaries and calling surviving loved ones. If you get calls from people you don’t know soon after someone passes away, be careful and confirm it before you send any money.
• In some cases someone will call and tell the victim that they’ve won money, but to “process the claim” they need to first send money. Beware this is most definitely a scam and don’t send any money — you should never have to pay money to claim a prize. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
• If there’s any doubt about a phone call you’ve received contact the Sheriff’s Office before sending any money.

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