Ohio residents have recently been targeted by various sophisticated scams. Here are five prevalent schemes to be aware of:
1. Imposter Scams
Scammers impersonate government agencies, such as the IRS or local courts, to demand immediate payments for alleged violations or debts. They often threaten arrest if payments are not made promptly. These fraudsters may also request personal information, including Social Security numbers, to exploit victims further.
2. Romance and Investment Scams
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities has issued warnings about online romance scams that evolve into investment frauds. Scammers establish emotional relationships with victims and then lure them into fraudulent investment opportunities, leading to significant financial losses.
3. Turnpike Text Scams
Residents have reported receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they owe fees for using the Ohio Turnpike. These messages often contain links to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information. The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has alerted the public to this scam, advising recipients not to click on suspicious links.
4. Brushing Package Scams
“Brushing” involves receiving unsolicited packages from retailers like Amazon. Scammers use your address and personal information to send these packages, often as a tactic to post fake reviews in your name. While you aren’t charged for the items, this scam indicates that your personal data may have been compromised.
5. Contractor Fraud
There has been an uptick in contractor scams, where individuals pose as legitimate contractors, take upfront payments, and then fail to complete the promised work. For instance, a 74-year-old woman from Ohio reported losing $153,000 to a contractor who never rebuilt her fire-damaged house.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant, verify unsolicited communications, and report suspicious activities to local authorities to protect themselves from these evolving scams.