Scam targeting Red Bay residents

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT Writer
RED BAY – Red Bay residents need to be aware of a telephone scam sweeping the community.
Police Chief Pat Creel said that they have received several calls from residents about the scam.
"None of the people who have contacted us gave any information over the phone," Creel said. " But my fear is that someone in our community has fallen victim to the scam but don't want to report it."
Creel urges anyone who has been contacted by the scam to contact the police immediately, especially if financial information was exchanged.
"People behind scams are slick, and very convincing," Creel said.
In this particular scam, community members, especially older citizens, receive a call from Global Sweepstakes, which is a fake Jamaican company, claiming the individual has won a cash prize.
Then, a short time later, the same individual received a call from the Jamacian law enforcement, saying that they are trying to catch Global Sweep-stakes in the act in order to make the arrest, and file charges. At this point, the Jamacian law enforcement ask for credit card or debit card information in order to 'catch' the scam artist, Creel said.
"The people posing as law enforcement are telling citizens not to worry about giving the card information because they'll be restitution, and that they need their help in order to make an arrest," Creel said. If anyone receives calls of this nature, or any other suspicious calls, they need to contact the police immediately.