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Cochise County warns of phone scams

Posted at 7:32 AM, Mar 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-07 09:32:51-05

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — Hanging onto your finances keeps getting harder with more and more scams popping up. Cochise county sheriff's office is learning about three new scams.

The first scam includes a robo-call claiming to be calling for sprint and offering a gift card but you have to give up social security and account info. Another involved a man offering to do work on people's homes, but wanting the money up front.

Some advice from investigators is to never agree to work from someone going door to door.

Two more separate cases in Cochise county were a caller claims to work for the sheriff's office contacted registered sex offenders claiming they had an outstanding debt but could pay the balance with "google play" gift cards.

As always, your best advice from the sheriff's office when you're suspicious it to hang up the phone.

Other tips from Cochise County are:

1.If someone calls and asks "Can You Hear Me?" Hang up right away. This question is to get an YES" response that scammers can use to access personal info from you or place orders as if you have consented.

2. DON'T call back a number you don't know. If it's important, the caller will leave a message or try again. If you call back first, it gives the scammer the idea that you are a good "Victim".

3.Don't ever send money to anyone who calls (even it if sounds real) by paying with any credit or debit card. Also, even a Green Dot, Google or other pre-paid card.

4.Don't believe that the IRS, Sheriff's Office, or credit card company will "come arrest you" if you don't pay for whatever they are asking for.