Utah has seen a rise in various scams targeting its residents. Here are five prevalent schemes to be aware of:
- Grandparent/Family Emergency Scams
Scammers impersonate grandchildren or family members in distress, urgently requesting money for emergencies like bail or medical bills. They often gather personal details from social media to appear credible. - Smishing Attacks
Residents have reported receiving unsolicited text messages containing malicious links. Clicking these links can compromise personal information or lead to financial loss. Authorities advise against interacting with unknown senders and clicking on suspicious links. - Government Impersonation Scams
Fraudsters pose as officials from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), contacting licensed professionals with threats of license suspension or criminal investigation to extort money. They use spoofed phone numbers and official-sounding titles to appear legitimate. - Jury Duty Scams
Scammers call individuals claiming they missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest. They often demand payment through prepaid gift cards or wire transfers. The Utah State Courts emphasize they do not request payments over the phone. - Utility Payment Scams
Individuals receive calls from imposters claiming to be from utility companies, threatening immediate service disconnection unless a payment is made. These scammers often request payment through unconventional methods like prepaid cards.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant, verify unsolicited communications, and report suspicious activities to local authorities to protect themselves from these evolving scams.