HSV Rotary hears about common scams
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Kristina Carnes, educational program manager for the Arkansas attorney general’s office, discussed scams and fraudulent activity at the March 14 meeting of Hot Springs Village Rotary Club.
Carnes said that the AG’s Constituent Services Department averages 1,200 calls a day reporting scams and fraudulent activity and most scam calls come from outside the country, which is why the problem is so difficult, since the “Do Not Call” list only works inside the U.S., the club said in a news release.
“If you’re not expecting a call from someone, it’s probably a scam,” Carnes said, and also discussed some of the most common frauds, including the Wire Transfer (or Gift Card purchase), the Favorite Grandson, the “IRS,” and the Sweetheart Scam.
“Unfortunately, most of the calls we get are after the scam took place. We cannot get your money back,” she said.
Receiving unsolicited checks in the mail is also a scam; she said those should not be deposited in a bank. Individuals can also come to residences offering their services and demand payment in advance. Carnes advised never giving any personal information on the phone or online, adding, “Most people say they’d never fall for one of these fraudulent schemes, but the scammers are very convincing.”
The AG’s Constituent Services Department can be reached at 501-682-2007.
The Hot Springs Village club which meets in the Fireside Dining Room at Good Sam’s, 121 Cortez Road, at 7 a.m. Thursdays.