Fraud Resource

Top Tips to Avoid Scams

Hang up. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. If you think the caller might be telling the truth, call back to a number you know is genuine. And, avoid robocalls by registering your number on Kentucky's No Call List.

Do not pay upfront. Scammers often offer prizes or threaten to take action against you, if you don't pay a fee or provide your personal information. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not threaten you for upfront payments.

Do not wire money or send reloadable credit/gift cards to people you do not know. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not require you to use these payment methods. It is almost impossible to get your money back after it has been wired, through services like Western Union. Reloadable cards like MoneyPak, Reloadit or other types of gift cards like iTunes present the same problem.

Slow down. Con artists prey on fear and want to scare you in to taking action very quickly. Before you issue payment or provide your personal information, verify the business by researching it online – verify their website, contact information, search for customer reviews and company policies.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is offering you something for free or a prize you never registered to win, it is more than likely a scam.

Grandparent scam. Kentucky seniors have received phone calls from scammers claiming to be their grandchildren. These scammers claim to have been arrested in a foreign country and say they need money wired immediately so they can pay bail. The scammers add that they don't want "mom and dad" to get upset and request the "grandparent" to remain silent about the issue. This is one more way scammers are taking advantage of the love and concern of seniors for their families and preying on their good nature.

Student loan scam. Kentucky college students are being targeted by a scam that promises student loan debt relief services in exchange for a large fee and students’ personal information. Students should avoid these companies. All loan services are already offered free to students by their loan companies, and students should contact their current student loan company that can offer changes to a repayment plan at any time for free. Learn more

Deputy sheriff scam. Kentuckians are being targeted over the phone by scam artists claiming to be sheriff’s deputies who can help residents resolve a federal warrant that has been issued against them – but for a price. These scammers are looking for quick, easy cash, and they love the idea of pre-paid cards. If anyone contacts you and requires payment to be made using one of these cards, hang up and contact the AG’s Office or your local sheriffs’ office. Learn more

IRS scams. This year, one senior citizen reported sending more than $50,000, including more than $20,000 in gift cards she purchased at local retailers, to a con artist claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS Scam is particularly prevalent during tax season, but scammers pretend to represent the IRS all year long. Learn more