Sheriff John F. Booker urges all residents to stay vigilant, as scams targeting our community continue to rise. The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports of residents being contacted by scammers, through phone calls, emails, and text messages.
These scams often involve callers pretending to be Law Enforcement, Government agencies, utility companies, or even family members in distress. Victims are pressured to send money, buy gift cards, turn over gold or valuables. In some cases, scammers even convince victims that their money is “not safe” in the bank and should be withdrawn and handed over for “safekeeping.”
“I want to make this very clear. No legitimate Government agency, bank, or Law Enforcement Officer will ever ask you to send cash, gold, or gift cards, or to withdraw your money and give it to someone else for ‘safekeeping,'” Sheriff Booker said.
He emphasized that his Office is committed to investigating these crimes. It is working closely with local, State, and Federal partners to track down scammers and protect residents.
“We take these crimes seriously and will work with local, State, and Federal agencies to investigate and hold scammers accountable whenever possible,” Booker said. “If you think you’ve been scammed, please don’t be embarrassed–these criminals are very good at what they do. Contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately [815-284-6631.] We are here to help you.”
Sheriff Booker offers these tips to protect yourself.
Never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers, texts, or emails. Do not purchase gift cards, send cash, hand over gold, or withdraw money from your bank, because a stranger told you to.
Your money is safe in your bank account–no real official will ever tell you otherwise. Hang up immediately on suspicious calls, even if the caller ID looks legitimate. Do not click links or open attachments from unknown emails or texts. Report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office right away.
If you believe you have been targeted or victimized by a scam, please contact the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office.
“We are committed to protecting the people of Whiteside County,”Booker concluded. “Please help spread the word to your neighbors, friends, and family, especially our Seniors, who are often the most targeted.”