Telephone scams target elderly in Sangamon County, sheriff warns

by WICS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning about recent telephone scams targeting elderly residents for financial exploitation.

According to the sheriff's office, these scams involve callers posing as law enforcement officers or fraud protection employees and requesting payments through gift cards, cash transactions, or bank account transfers.

"No one at the Sheriff's Office, or any law enforcement agency, would ever request or demand money over the telephone under any circumstances," the sheriff's office said.

The public is urged to exercise caution when answering calls from unknown numbers and to never disclose personal or financial information over the phone without verifying the caller's identity.

"If you feel that a caller is targeting you for the purpose of scamming or exploiting you out of money, or if you fell victim to an online or telephone scam, contact the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate local law enforcement agency," the sheriff's office advised.

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Telephone scams target elderly in Sangamon County, sheriff warns