Sheriff's Office Warns Residents of Scam

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said they have received complaints from citizens who received a letter telling them they qualified for an award of two round-trip airline tickets. 

The letter, attached to this story, hints that the recipient should contact the company soon to receive the tickets or they will be awarded to an alternate.

The letter states, “We have attempted contacting you several times without success. This is our last attempt.”

The letter provides a toll free number to call. When the victim calls to claim the tickets, the person is asked to pay a “small” handling fee. This allows the credit card number to be captured.

“Scams and flim-flam operations come in many forms, especially with the advancements in technology which have occurred in the past 15 years," said Sheriff David Stone. "Whether it’s a letter announcing you have won a contest you did not enter, or a call from an unfamiliar person or area code, or an unsolicited attempt by an individual to sell you something or perform a service for a nominal fee, always be alert to the possibility that you may be dealing with a scam and if you aren’t careful, you might be the next victim.” 

“The old sayings that nothing in life is free, and if it’s too good to be true then it probably is, are good rules for all of us to follow," Stone said. "There are as many ways for scammers to get your money as there are people. Please remind your loved ones and neighbors, especially those who are seniors, to always be wary of this possibility. Encourage them to contact law enforcement about any potential scam before letting go of their hard earned money.”