South Dakota Residents Warned Of Fake Calls From ICAC Agents
FYI...should you receive a phone call from an organization claiming to be the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force or (ICAC) and they're asking you for money, the call is not legit.
It's just scammers working another angle to try and relieve you of your money and personal information.
Dakota News Now is reporting that South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is busy warning the public right now of this new potential scam.
According to Jackley, this latest scam involves someone claiming to be a member of the ICAC Task Force and saying that the individual has been identified as having sexual communications with a minor.
Scammers have also told callers that the minor has tried to commit suicide and they will either be arrested or can pay the parent of the child.
Dakota News Now reports that scammers have been asking callers to fork over anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000 during this new round of scam calls.
In an effort to make this scam look more realistic, scammers have been sending out text messages to victims that include a picture of the person’s property that makes it look like the ICAC Task Force has been investigating the person.
Jackley wants to make sure residents know that the (ICAC) does not conduct investigations in this manner.
Like with every potential scam call, there are a few steps the public should follow to ensure they are dealing with a legitimate organization. They are:
- Talk to someone you can trust before you provide money or personal information to someone who contacts you.
- Check and double-check email addresses if they are asking you to send money.
- If the caller represents a business or government agency, don’t trust the telephone number they give you. Hang up and call the organization’s office to make sure it's legit.
- Treat calls or emails demanding immediate action with suspicion.
- Do not give into high-pressure sales tactics.
- Do not provide financial or personal information over the phone or via the Internet.
- If you are asked to send money, get off the phone and research what you are being asked to do.
Should you ever fall victim to telephone fraud, you're encouraged to report it right away. The number to do that here in South Dakota is 1-800-300-1986.
Source: Dakota News Now
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