A Woodford County man was recently the target of a phone scam.
Michael McIntosh said the scammers had all of his information and were threatening to put him in jail if he didn’t payback a loan.
“They told me I was going to jail if I didn’t pay $579 immediately,” he said.
A man claiming to be Sheriff Jack Smith from New York County, New York said McIntosh owed on a Cash America payday loan.
But the truly scary part, McIntosh said they had his address, social security number and other private information.
http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html
“They actually were very convincing until I heard the charges,” he said.
In an attempt to learn more information, LEX 18’s Megan Moore made up a name and called the “sheriff”.
Scammer: Yeah, hello this is Sheriff Jack Smith. I got a call from you, how can I help you?
Megan: I got a call about me owning something, about a payday loan.
Scammer: What’s your name?
Megan: Sarah Johnson.
Scammer: Sarah Johnson…Yeah, Ms. Sarah I got your records. How are you?
After further introductions, that’s when the “sheriff” started talking about the loan and other charges.
Scammer: There is a lawsuit filed against your name and that is a criminal charge on you.
He claims “Ms. Johnson” is facing theft and cyber crime charges and the matter of the loan as well.
Scammer: And finally you’ll have to make a payment of $7,985 to the court execution fees.
If she doesn’t pay, “Ms. Johnson” will get a zero on her credit score and her social security number will be blacklisted. But if she is unable to make that payment, another amount is given.
Scammer: If you make the payment of $590 your file will be closed and that will take care of all the matter. There will be no lawsuit against you. No charges against your name.
Woodford County Sheriff Wayne Wright said these scammers know what they’re doing.
“It’s real hard to understand what they’re saying but the minute they try to instruct you about payment that is crystal clear,” he said.
“Ms. Johnson” was then told what would happen if she couldn’t pay the second amount.
Scammer: You will be arrested by your local sheriff.
Megan: And who is that?
Scammer: Yea…we will, we will transfer case to your local county sheriff’s office tomorrow by 11 a.m. and you will be arrested. Do you want to make your payment or not?
Megan: How do I pay this?
The “sheriff” begins to get frustrated with the questions and that’s when it gets ugly.
Scammer: So you want to resolve this matter?
Megan: Well, how do I do that?
Scammer: I’m asking you, (explicative). First of all do you want to make a payment or not?
“You know they don’t care how much damage they do to you, they want your money,” Sheriff Wright said.
After eight minutes on the phone, the scammer gives up on the call.
Scam investigators said to be careful about giving out your information online. Also, avoid free credit checks or sweepstakes. That information is often sold to these kinds of scammers.
