The town of Garner is warning residents about a fraud scheme involving fake phone calls and emails.
The town said the scams are intended to appear like they're coming from legitimate sources, such as local organizations and governments, financial institutions and family phone numbers, to trick people into sharing sensitive information or money.
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The tactic is called spoofing, which is when a scammer disguises their actual email address and phone number to make them appear real. In some instances, someone may receive an email that seems like it came from a trusted person or a phone call from a local or known number.
According to the town, they have received reports of scammers using email addresses or phone numbers that have come from town of Garner email addresses or caller ID information to further the scam.
The town shared tips on how to tell if something is a fishing scam, and how to protect yourself against them:
What to watch for
- Emails or calls requesting personal or financial information.
- Urgent or threatening language pressuring immediate action.
- Unexpected attachments or links.
- Slight variations in email addresses or unfamiliar phone numbers.
How to protect yourself
- Do not share personal information unless you have verified the source.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
- Hang up and call back using an official number if something seems off.
- Report suspicious emails or calls to your service provider or local authorities.