KPD e-Press Release: Kingsport Police Continue to Warn Citizens About Scams
Kingsport Police Department Press Release |
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Incident Information |
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| Type of Incident | Kingsport Police Continue to Warn Citizens About Scams |
| Date & Time of Release | February 6, 2014
10:45 AM |
| Location of Incident | City of Kingsport |
General Narrative |
| Kingsport Police continue to warn citizens about scams.
The Kingsport Police Department recently issued a warning regarding phone scams. To view the previous release, visit the link below: The Kingsport Police Department has recently seen a significant increase in reported scams, and the City of Kingsport is not unique in this trend. Scams are rapidly becoming a nationwide epidemic. K.P.D. offers the following additional information regarding recent scams. Many of the scam artists today are asking their intended victims to obtain pre-paid credit cards. The most common variety of these cards is known as the “Green-Dot Money Card.” The scam artist will ask the victim to obtain a pre-paid card, deposit funds to the account, and then provide the scam artist with the account number and/or pin number to enable them to remotely access the funds from anywhere in the world. If you are ever called and asked to obtain a pre-paid credit card, this should be a major red-flag, and you should hang up the phone IMMEDIATELY! In most instances, these are INTERNATIONAL SCAMS, meaning the suspect is most likely operating out of a foreign country. Often the phone number they are calling from will show up as a United States phone number, but that is only because they are rerouting their international phone call through a U.S. number. The likelihood of bringing these criminals to justice is slim to none. The likelihood of recouping any of the victim’s lost money is also slim to none. Citizens are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to take steps to stop falling victim to these scams. TIPS REGARDING PHONE SCAMS: 1) If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 2) Educate yourself on the latest scam trends. 3) If someone calls you and asks you to obtain a pre-paid credit card, it is most likely a scam. 4) Never give out any confidential information over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain with whom they are speaking and completely confident that it is for a legitimate purpose. 5) If there is any doubt as to the legitimacy of a call, attempt to verify or simply hang up the phone. The Kingsport Police Department will make every effort to keep track of new tactics being used by scam artists and continue to educate the public on these trends. SCAM ARTISTS ARE SMART… BE SMARTER THAN THEM… REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM OF SCAMS! For additional information, please contact: Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov |
| Releasing Officer | Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit |
