Canton police warn of increased scams targeting finances, identities

Cassandra Nist, The Repository
·2 min read
Canton Police
Canton Police

CANTON – The Canton Police Department is warning residents of an increase in various scams throughout Stark County.

Police have investigated a number of thefts by deception in which the suspect claims to be a law enforcement officer during a telephone call. According to police, some common language includes telling the victim that he or a family member has warrants and must either pay a fine or send bail money.

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Suspects have also posed as workers from the Social Security Administration or Amazon.

In every scam, police say the suspects will demand immediate action, soliciting victims to send cash or gift cards.

Canton police offer the following tips to protect yourself against fraud:

  • Never share personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth or home address over the telephone or online to any source you do not know and trust.

  • Never provide financial information like a bank account number, credit card number or computer login information to anyone who contacts you on the telephone or online.

  • Do not react out of fear. You have the right to verify the caller’s identity.

  • If you do not know the caller and are unsure of what to do, just hang up.

  • If you notice a missed call from an unknown number, do not call the number back.

  • Legitimate companies do notrequest payment in gift cards

Police said if you find yourself in one of these situations, and are unsure of what to do, before providing any information or making a purchase, call the Police Department at 330-649-5800 for guidance. These scams often target senior citizens and most of the recent victims are over 65 years old.

Police also are encouraging everyone to have a conversation about this topic with older friends and family members.

Reach Cassandra cnist@gannett.com; Follow on Twitter @Cassienist

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton police warn community of increased scams targeting finances, ID