The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has issued the following information in reference to Online Swindles/Scams. Pass this information around to your friends so that they are aware and will not be taken.
1) FBI Impersonation E-mail Scams
These are scams in which a criminal poses as the FBI to defraud victims, although criminals also will pose as representatives of other government agencies, such as the IRS or Law Enforcement. IC3 received about 39 complaints a day about spam e-mails supposedly from the FBI demanding payments for one thing or another, the report states, with loses totaling more than $9,600 - or $245 per complaint - per day. As the report points out, government agencies don't send unsolicited e-mails.
2) Auto-auction Fraud
This is what it sound like: Criminals advertise a vehicle at a great price, claim they must sell fast because they're moving or being deployed by the military, and try to rush the sale, asking for partial or full payment right away through a third party. Of course, there is no vehicle, and if the victim makes a payment, the money is gone for good.
IC3 received a complaint about this type of scam about every tow hours during 2011. Each complaint resulted in an average loss of $2,000 about $8.2 million for the year.
3) Romance Scams
Swindlers have always preyed on loneliness, and the Internet has only made it easier for them. IC3 received more than 5,600 complaints of romance scams last year, with victim losses totaling $50.4 million, or an average loss of $8,900.
Romance scammers troll social networking sites, dating sites and chat rooms looking for victims and then pour on the charm, using flowers, poetry and other gifts to declare their "undying love," the report states. They'll tell stories of their own tragedies, family problems, personal injuries and other hardships, and then ask for financial help. And then, of course, they disappear. Although women between the ages of 40 and 59 were the largest group of victims, the report shows that people of either sex and any age are vulnerable.
4) Work-from-home Scams
This is a double-whammy scam, since it not only can steal money from the victims but also can make them into criminals. Cyber criminals often use these scams to move and launder their ill-gotten money. They advertise jobs through newspapers, online job sites, e-mails and social networking sites, and recruit victims as "mules" to move money through their own accounts. In the process the scammers could steal the victims' identities and money, to the tune of $20 million from complaints files in 2011. And the other shoe can drop: "Regrettably, due to their participation, these individuals may face criminal charges," the report states.
5) Loan Intimidation Scams
This is a fairly complex scam, in which fraudsters use personal information on the victims - including Social Security numbers, employer information and bank account numbers - and pretend to be from the FBI or another federal agency, a law firm or an official - sounding institution. They tell the victims they are delinquent in a payday loan and threaten legal action if they don't pay up.
IC3 says it's not clear how the criminals obtain the victims' personal info, but many of the victims had filled out online applications for credit cards or loans before they were swindled. These scams netted more then $8 million last year, IC3 said, with complaints coming in at an average of 27 per day.
We would like to add that the figures given by IC3 are very understated. It's estimated that up to 70% of victims do not report these crimes. The best 'guestimate' have these scams are a $4 billion a year industry. The best defense against scams listed above is Public Education.
Macon County Sheriff's Alerts
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Autism and Project Life Saver
Autism is now Diagnosed in 1 out of every 88 Children
Stuart, Florida March 30, 2012: According to a new report released Thursday March 29, 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new estimates show 1 out of every 88 children in the United States have autism. These new estimates, based on data from 2008, show a 23 percent increase in autism diagnoses since the last report in 2006 which showed a prevalence of 1 out of every 110 children and in 2002 estimates were 1 out of every 150 children. The CDC data shows diagnosed cases of Autism are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).
The new estimates indicates more children are at risk to wander and illustrates a growing need for programs to better protect these children and help their caregivers until effective treatments are developed or a cure is found.
The Macon County Sheriff's Office has a program to assist with locating a child or an adult that may wander. It is called "Project Lifesaver". It is available to any local resident that has a family member with Autism. For any additional information contact Mr. Jim Lau @ 349-2575.
Stuart, Florida March 30, 2012: According to a new report released Thursday March 29, 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new estimates show 1 out of every 88 children in the United States have autism. These new estimates, based on data from 2008, show a 23 percent increase in autism diagnoses since the last report in 2006 which showed a prevalence of 1 out of every 110 children and in 2002 estimates were 1 out of every 150 children. The CDC data shows diagnosed cases of Autism are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).
The new estimates indicates more children are at risk to wander and illustrates a growing need for programs to better protect these children and help their caregivers until effective treatments are developed or a cure is found.
The Macon County Sheriff's Office has a program to assist with locating a child or an adult that may wander. It is called "Project Lifesaver". It is available to any local resident that has a family member with Autism. For any additional information contact Mr. Jim Lau @ 349-2575.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wal-Mart Shopping Scam
The following SCAM information was received from Wal-Mart to alert Citizens not to do what is asked.
"We are looking for qualified evaluators to help us check out our new services. These are the important aspect of your evaluation.
A Check/Moneyorder of between 800 - 2850 dollars will be mailed out to you. The funds have been calculated to cover both aspects of this survey. You will be allocated 150 dollars for the Wal-Mart Shopping Section.
Remember that everything you buy is totally yours.
YOUR SECOND EVALUATION (Between 600 - 2550 dollars)
The 2nd assignment
Lot of Wal-Mart customers have reported lopses in Money transfer services in some Wal-Mart Stores around the United States.
Our need to act is based on reports and complaints which some customers forwarded anonymously and phone calls that were made to our head office.
Agents locations were reported for evaluation for the following reasons:
Slow Service
Unbalanced Exchange Rate
Poor Services
Rudeness to customers
Excess charge
YOUR SECRET EVALUATION WILL BE
To make a trasfer of funds from the location to our agent in another country as specified in my next email to you with the remaining funds left after you complete your first task. Funds would be picked up by our agent at the exact location which a customer reported his/her funds stolen from.
You will have to record the time at which you got to the Western-Union store and how many minutes it took you to get the service.
You will also provide me with the name of the cashier that attended to you along with the name of the Wal-Mart store and address.
You will be paid a commission of 200 dollars for completing both tasks.
Your report should be drafted and sent to me via email immediately the 2nd assigment has been completed.
Please make sure you reply to this email with the following information below:
First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address (No PO Box pls):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number/Home Phone Number:
Age:
Current Occupation:
Alternate Email Address:
Days/Hours Available:
Further instructions will be sent to you during the week via Email.
Task Co-Ordinator
Wal-Mart"
If you have received or have been contacted reference the above scam please contact the following or your local Law Enforcement Agency:
Macon County Sheriff's Office, 828-349-2575
Franklin Police Department, 828-524-2864
Highlands Police Depatrment, 828-526-1769
"We are looking for qualified evaluators to help us check out our new services. These are the important aspect of your evaluation.
A Check/Moneyorder of between 800 - 2850 dollars will be mailed out to you. The funds have been calculated to cover both aspects of this survey. You will be allocated 150 dollars for the Wal-Mart Shopping Section.
Remember that everything you buy is totally yours.
YOUR SECOND EVALUATION (Between 600 - 2550 dollars)
The 2nd assignment
Lot of Wal-Mart customers have reported lopses in Money transfer services in some Wal-Mart Stores around the United States.
Our need to act is based on reports and complaints which some customers forwarded anonymously and phone calls that were made to our head office.
Agents locations were reported for evaluation for the following reasons:
Slow Service
Unbalanced Exchange Rate
Poor Services
Rudeness to customers
Excess charge
YOUR SECRET EVALUATION WILL BE
To make a trasfer of funds from the location to our agent in another country as specified in my next email to you with the remaining funds left after you complete your first task. Funds would be picked up by our agent at the exact location which a customer reported his/her funds stolen from.
You will have to record the time at which you got to the Western-Union store and how many minutes it took you to get the service.
You will also provide me with the name of the cashier that attended to you along with the name of the Wal-Mart store and address.
You will be paid a commission of 200 dollars for completing both tasks.
Your report should be drafted and sent to me via email immediately the 2nd assigment has been completed.
Please make sure you reply to this email with the following information below:
First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address (No PO Box pls):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number/Home Phone Number:
Age:
Current Occupation:
Alternate Email Address:
Days/Hours Available:
Further instructions will be sent to you during the week via Email.
Task Co-Ordinator
Wal-Mart"
If you have received or have been contacted reference the above scam please contact the following or your local Law Enforcement Agency:
Macon County Sheriff's Office, 828-349-2575
Franklin Police Department, 828-524-2864
Highlands Police Depatrment, 828-526-1769
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Rose Creek Rape Suspect
PRESS RELEASE
Sheriff Robert L. Holland (828) 349-2152
Macon County Sheriff’s Office (828) 349-2104
Detention Center (828) 349-2263
Crime Stoppers (828) 349-2600
Visit our agency website for updates and additional information:
p://maconnc.org/sheriff-press-releases.html
DATE: August 4, 2011
Sheriff Robert L. Holland (828) 349-2152
Macon County Sheriff’s Office (828) 349-2104
Detention Center (828) 349-2263
Crime Stoppers (828) 349-2600
Visit our agency website for updates and additional information:
p://maconnc.org/sheriff-press-releases.html
DATE: August 4, 2011
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office responded to an Emergency-911 call at approximately 6:10 pm on Monday August 1st on Rose Creek Cove Road in the Cowee Community. A breaking and entering and sexual assault were reported to have occurred at approximately 5:00 pm on that day. The reporting victim did not know the suspect and his mode of transportation is also unknown.
An investigation started immediately and two Investigators were assigned to the case Monday night at which time they began processing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses. This is an ongoing investigation and the Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from any person that observed any unusual or suspicious activity or individuals in this area, specifically including Highway 28/Bryson City Rd., Bennett Rd., and Rose Creek Rd., on Monday or at any other recent time.
The suspect is described as being a white male, approximately 6 feet tall with short dark brown hair, no facial hair and blue or green eyes. He has a skinny to medium sized frame and a noticeable tan. He was reported to be wearing blue jean shorts, a black t-shirt with pocket and flip flops at the time of the assault. It is possible that he has scratch marks on his body.
Investigators canvassed the neighbors in the Rose Creek area and continue to pursue the information they gathered. Deputies from the Patrol Unit set up road blocks to speak with drivers and residents in the area Tuesday and Wednesday and have passed on additional information to the Investigators. Investigators are being assisted by the Asheville Police Department and met today with the reporting victim and a forensic artist to prepare a sketch of the suspect. The sketch of the suspect is shown below.
Sheriff Holland states: “Although this appears to be an isolated incident, I encourage all residents to take normal security measures and to be aware of their surroundings to ensure their safety. I consider this incident to be our top priority and have instructed all of the Deputies involved to treat this investigation as their highest priority. This investigation will continues and I encourage anyone with any information to contact my Office or Crime Stoppers. I would also like thank the Asheville Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.”
An investigation started immediately and two Investigators were assigned to the case Monday night at which time they began processing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses. This is an ongoing investigation and the Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from any person that observed any unusual or suspicious activity or individuals in this area, specifically including Highway 28/Bryson City Rd., Bennett Rd., and Rose Creek Rd., on Monday or at any other recent time.
The suspect is described as being a white male, approximately 6 feet tall with short dark brown hair, no facial hair and blue or green eyes. He has a skinny to medium sized frame and a noticeable tan. He was reported to be wearing blue jean shorts, a black t-shirt with pocket and flip flops at the time of the assault. It is possible that he has scratch marks on his body.
Investigators canvassed the neighbors in the Rose Creek area and continue to pursue the information they gathered. Deputies from the Patrol Unit set up road blocks to speak with drivers and residents in the area Tuesday and Wednesday and have passed on additional information to the Investigators. Investigators are being assisted by the Asheville Police Department and met today with the reporting victim and a forensic artist to prepare a sketch of the suspect. The sketch of the suspect is shown below.
Sheriff Holland states: “Although this appears to be an isolated incident, I encourage all residents to take normal security measures and to be aware of their surroundings to ensure their safety. I consider this incident to be our top priority and have instructed all of the Deputies involved to treat this investigation as their highest priority. This investigation will continues and I encourage anyone with any information to contact my Office or Crime Stoppers. I would also like thank the Asheville Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.”
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Suspects wanted for Questioning Involving Stolen Checks
The Macon County Sheriff's Office is requesting the assistance of the community to be on the lookout for several individuals as seen in these photos of several suspects as they were cashing the stolen checks. If you recognize any of these individuals please contact Det. Tony Corbin @ 828-349-2579 or you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 828-349-2600.These individuals are wanted for questioning in a case involving several checks being cashed at area banks in Macon and Jackson County. Any information that you may obtain would be appreciated. THANK YOU
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Shooting in Ellijay Community of Macon County
We are posting this notice to keep rumors down while we are attempting also to notify family members...
Deputies with the Macon County Sheriff's Office are on the scene of a shooting in the Ellijay Community of Macon County. Early wednesday morning a 911 call came from a residence on Mountain Grove Road where it was reported a shooting occurred. Upon arrival, deputies and first responders from the Cullasaja Gorge Fire & Rescue found one victim, who was deceased. We do have an individual in custody and there is no need for the community to be concerned about their safety. There are no additional suspects being sought. The investigation is in the early stages. The MCSO and the SBI will continue to investigate this case thoroughly.
Deputies with the Macon County Sheriff's Office are on the scene of a shooting in the Ellijay Community of Macon County. Early wednesday morning a 911 call came from a residence on Mountain Grove Road where it was reported a shooting occurred. Upon arrival, deputies and first responders from the Cullasaja Gorge Fire & Rescue found one victim, who was deceased. We do have an individual in custody and there is no need for the community to be concerned about their safety. There are no additional suspects being sought. The investigation is in the early stages. The MCSO and the SBI will continue to investigate this case thoroughly.
Monday, July 26, 2010
What is going on in your neighborhood?
The Sheriff's Office has added a quick reference for the community. If you would like to know what is going on in your neighborhood just go to the following Link: http://www.crimereports.com/
This will take you to a website where you can then type in "Franklin, N.C.". It will search for the reports filed by the Sheriff's Office. If you want to move the map, just click and hold the left mouse button and move the page either up or down. Any reports filed, i.e. Theft = T, Breaking/Entering = B will show up. Just click on the letter and the information will show up, or just read the information to the left of the map.
The information is updated each evening with the reports filed for that day.
If you have any additional questions feel free to call the Sheriff's office @ 828-349-2104.
This will take you to a website where you can then type in "Franklin, N.C.". It will search for the reports filed by the Sheriff's Office. If you want to move the map, just click and hold the left mouse button and move the page either up or down. Any reports filed, i.e. Theft = T, Breaking/Entering = B will show up. Just click on the letter and the information will show up, or just read the information to the left of the map.
The information is updated each evening with the reports filed for that day.
If you have any additional questions feel free to call the Sheriff's office @ 828-349-2104.
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