Crime & Safety

Phone Scams on the Rise in DuPage County; What to Watch Out For

DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba is warning residents to be on the lookout for scammers following a recent rise in reported phone scams. 

Here are two different scams to be watchful of: 

  • The lottery scam: Someone generally receives a phone call, letter or email, informing him or her that they have just won a large sum of money in a “lottery.” The caller informs the victim they were entered into a lottery without their knowledge and all they have to do to claim their prize is to send a money order or western union, to cover tax liability, to a “lottery representative.” Once the victim pays the fees, which is usually large sum of money, the prize is never received.
  • Internal Revenue Service tax scam: You receive a phone call from someone who claims to be an Internal Revenue Service representative and tells victim they owe taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. Most times they have your personal information including a social security number which makes it even more believable. 

“I hope that residents will remind their friends and families about these methods being used to victimize citizens, and remind them to never send anyone money, give out their social security number, their bank account or credit card numbers, Sheriff Zaruba said. 

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“Do not respond in any way to someone who offers you a financial windfall for virtually nothing. Instead, pick up the telephone and dial 911. Also remember the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," Zaruba said. 


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