Protect Yourself from Common Scams

My administration was recently made aware of a veteran who fell victim to a Publishing Clearing House scam, paying them over $1000. Commonly referred to as the Sweepstakes Scam, victims are tricked into thinking they’ve won a prize and need to send money to claim it.

Unfortunately, in today’s digital world, scammers are more active and creative than ever, targeting individuals from all walks of life. As your County Executive, I want to ensure that Rockland residents are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and warning signs they need to protect themselves from these crooks.

In 2023, consumers were scammed out of $10 Billion according to the Federal Trade Commission. It is important to stay vigilant when using the Internet.

• Be very wary of unsolicited communication, whether it’s by phone, email, text, or online chats.
• Never, ever send money or personal information, such as your date of birth, home address, social security number or passwords and PIN numbers to anyone unless you are certain of the identity of the person you are sending it to.
• Don’t trust any links embedded in emails. Even if you think you know the identity of the company or individual who contacted you, verify who they are by contacting them in a trusted way—going to their website directly or calling the number or emailing the address you know is valid.
• Prizes and sweepstakes solicitations are often a scam. If you must send money to redeem a reward, that is a huge red flag. Anything that is too good to be true, always is!

Remember, government agencies will never demand immediate payment or ask for your personal information over the phone. Always be cautious of emails that have urgent language and/or spelling errors. Even a call or pop-up on your computer claiming that you have a virus, could potentially be a scam with the goal to steal your personal data.

I remind families that while scams can happen to anyone, by staying alert and taking the right precautions, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones. If you believe you’ve encountered a scam or fallen victim to one, report it to the authorities.

Residents can also contact our Office of Consumer Protection with any concerns or questions regarding scams as they are here for your protection and will be a strong advocate for you.

Our Office of Consumer Protection can be contacted at (845) 364-3901 or via email at CPLCAL@co.rockland.ny.us.