If the following text looks familiar to you, someone is trying to scam you out of your cash.
If it doesn’t look familiar but someone sends it your way — ignore it!
“Hope you get this on time, We made a trip to Manila, Philippines and had our bags stolen from us with our phones and credit cards in it. The embassy is willing to help by letting us fly back home since we still have our passports, We just have to pay for our ticket and settle Hotel bills. Unfortunately for us, I don't have access to funds without my credit card, I've made contact with my bank but they need more time to come up with a new one. I was thinking of asking you to lend me ($2,850USD) that I can give back as soon as We get home. We really need to be on the next available flight. I'm so confused at the moment I need urgent help.
"Money Gram is the best option to send money to us. Let me know if you need my details (Full names and Present location) you can also reach me via email. I will forever be grateful if you can help me.
All hopes on you.”
This is the type of scam email that’s recirculating in Okaloosa County:
"We are also seeing a resurgence of scams that tell people something along the lines of 'There is a warrant for your arrest, or you missed jury duty, or you owe money to the IRS and you have to get Green Dot or prepaid money cards and send the numbers to avoid arrest," an OCSO spokesperson said.
The scammers often will use the names of well-known local public servants to try to add to their credibility.
The OCSO has taken reports from residents who fell for these bogus money grabs.
Please share this information with senior citizens in your circle of influence since they are most often targeted by these imposters.
For additional information, contact the OCSO's Crime Prevention Unit at 850-651-7153.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Beware of this familiar scam — it's back