While we do everything possible to alert citizens of new scams, the reality is there are so many scams and so many variations of those scams that it is simply impossible to cover them all. At some point the citizen must allow the common sense and gut instinct guide them using the proverbial if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
We live in an age of technology where bad guys can make their caller id show on your phone as anyone they choose, and they will identify themselves as banks, credit card companies, lottery commissions, police officers, and even the IRS.
If you have any doubt about the authenticity of a phone call or email, please contact law enforcement prior to giving the person any information. Once scammed, it is quite daunting to correct your personal credit history and downright nearly impossible to recover any funds that you have given to the scam artist.
Below are several common scams, as well as instructions on what you should do if you have been scammed including information on contacting the credit bureaus and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
If you have been scammed, please contact your local law enforcement agency and file a police report.