Scams are on the rise nationwide, and local residents are not exempt, according to Martinsville Police Chief Robert “Rob” Fincher, who is urging residents to be vigilant with suspicious emails, phone calls, and social media friend requests, especially those involving money.
“Unfortunately, fraud is a big problem everywhere right now,” Fincher said, describing scammers as “trust violators.” He noted that technology has ushered in a new era of fraud, providing easy access to personal information.
“We like to have information at our fingertips, such as access to our bank accounts and credit card numbers on our phones. This convenience opens the door to those who wish to cause harm,” Fincher explained. The concern over fraud has intensified with technological advancements.
Fincher highlighted that older individuals are often targeted. “We see calls to individuals posing as a relative or someone they know, claiming they are in trouble or need assistance,” he said. Some scammers even impersonate police officers to solicit money for a relative’s release.
Fincher also warned about phishing scams disguised as emails from delivery services like the United States Postal Service (USPS). “These are nothing more than phishing scams trying to get you to click a link,” he said. Such emails often lead to requests for funds to claim goods.
Examining the email address can reveal inconsistencies, such as misspellings of the company’s name. Romance and friendship scams are also prevalent on social media, where scammers establish connections and then exploit emotions for money.
“Anytime they ask for money, it’s a scam,” Fincher advised. He noted that some users, aware of the scam, still engage due to loneliness.
Fincher expressed concern that advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) will exacerbate the problem. “It’s easier for criminals to extract data from social media, especially videos, and use it to make convincing phone calls,” he said.
The best defense, according to Fincher, is to respond only to known numbers and emails. “We recently had someone fall victim to a scam claiming to be his bank, urging him to transfer money immediately,” he said. The account was traced overseas, making recovery unlikely, especially with gift cards. “It’s very unlikely,” Fincher added, noting that many scammers operate from abroad.
“Don’t blindly respond to emails or phone calls. Trust only the numbers you already have. If you receive a suspicious call from your bank, hang up and call the number you know. Bank staff will gladly verify it’s not a scam,” Fincher advised.
He also recommended monitoring credit card statements and avoiding debit cards for online transactions due to better fraud protections with credit cards. Using a limited or prepaid debit card can also minimize risk.
“If there’s a security breach, only the funds on the prepaid card are at risk,” he said, adding that if you think you are being scammed, check with the police.
“If you think you are being scammed, then you probably are,” he said.
To underscore that no one is exempt, Fincher noted that the police department’s credit card was stolen due to a data breach. “It’s so prevalent nowadays,” he said, and added, “fortunately, we caught it quickly.”
