Douglas County Sheriff's Office alerts residents of scams surfacing in the area

People playing the popular Scrabble-like digital game 'Words With Friends' are now the target of scammers who prey on unsuspecting people. This scam, along with a resurgence of IRS scams, has come to the attention of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).

In the game scam, a stranger engages a victim while playing and begins making small talk in a chat window. Over the course of weeks, and sometimes months, the scammer gains the trust of the victim. They then reveal some personal tragedy requiring immediate money, usually claiming a child requires emergency surgery and they are out of the country for work, unable to help. The next step is to ask the victim for money.

"The Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to never engage strangers on social media and never reveal personal information online or through your cell phone," said DCSO Sgt. Jeff Schemenauer.

DCSO is reminding all residents, particularly our senior population, to be aware of the continuing efforts of scammers to separate their hard earned money from their pocketbooks.

With the tax deadline approaching, the “IRS scam” will soon re-appear where a scammer calls unsolicited impersonating an IRS officer. They demand you verify personal information and often attempt to collect a fine via prepaid credit cards or gift cards.

The IRS will never call demanding money or personal information via the telephone.

The list of popular scams is too extensive to list, however, they all begin with unsolicited contact from a stranger. The scams all seem convincing at some level and they all request you send money through wire transfer, prepaid credit or gift cards and most recently through mailing cash.

"The Sheriff’s Office is requesting its residents to never respond or send money to unverified sources," added Schemenauer.

For additional information on internet scams, please visit the FBI Cyber Crime website at www.ic3.gov The FBI has prepared a 28-page document informing the public of the ongoing problem and costs associated with cyber-crime.