This week’s summer safety tip offered by the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office is about internet safety.
During summer break children and teens are online more.
While it can be educational and entertaining, it is important to stay safe.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Virginia State Police is recognizing June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month and encouraging residents to remain vigilant against scams and fraud schemes that often target older adults and other vulnerable individuals.
According to state police, scammers frequently use tactics that create a sense of urgency, fear, or excitement to pressure victims into making quick decisions.
Fraudsters may pose as government officials, financial institutions, businesses, or even family members in distress to obtain money or personal information.
Authorities urge residents to independently verify any unexpected request involving financial accounts, passwords, gift cards, money transfers, or sensitive personal information before taking action.
Virginia State Police recommends slowing down before making financial decisions, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and discussing common scam tactics with family members and loved ones.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Sheriff Crystal Cline is warning residents to stay alert as a surge of new phone scams sweeps through our area.
Sheriff Cline warns of scammers using clever tactics to target residents, including phone calls, texts, and emails posing as the sheriff’s office, demanding payments and personal information.
Some scams go so far as to threaten arrests or legal trouble if you don’t comply.
Sheriff Cline wants to remind everyone:
The sheriff’s office has already received several reports from concerned citizens and is working alongside other authorities to investigate.
Sheriff Cline encourages everyone, especially seniors, who are often targeted, to share this warning with friends, family, and neighbors.
If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer or have lost money to a scam, get in touch with the sheriff’s office immediately.
All reports are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
What could be better than finding an unexpected package on your doorstep at this time of year?
We all love surprises and gifts, but when these unrequested items come from a retailer, they might carry a hidden cost.
In many cases, what seems like a harmless gift could be part of a larger scam known as brushing, which is illegal in the U.S. and many other countries.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office explains how it works: You receive a package containing items you didn’t order.
The package may not have a return address or could list a retailer’s address.
The sender is usually an international third-party seller who has found your address online.
Their goal?
To create the illusion that you’re a verified buyer who left a positive review, except, it’s a fake review, written in your name.
These fraudulent reviews are used to inflate product ratings and boost sales, ultimately tricking consumers into buying low-quality items.
Since these products are often cheap to ship, scammers profit by manipulating the system.
While it might seem like a harmless crime the reality is much darker.
Scammers may have accessed your personal information and could use it for future scams or other illegal activities.
Your fake review could also mislead others into buying worthless products.
And in some cases, scammers may use your address and account details to have merchandise shipped to you, then steal the items before you ever receive them.
It’s a reminder to stay vigilant and cautious about unsolicited packages arriving at your door.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Residents are being warned about scammers impersonating Winchester Deputy Police Chief Berry.
These fraudsters are contacting locals with false claims about “legal matters” and/or threatening arrest or demanding payment of a bond.
If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and do not share personal information, including your social security number, bank account details, or passwords.
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to this scam, contact the Winchester Police Department at 540-662-4131.
For tips on avoiding scams, visit Winchester Police Crime Prevention
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
