The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a scam involving individuals who are impersonating law firms, businesses, and other professional organizations in an attempt to obtain money from victims.
In several reported cases, individuals have received phone calls, emails, or text messages claiming to be from a law firm, real estate agent, or company they are already conducting business with. The scammer then requests payment in a different form or asks that funds be sent to a different account, address, or payment method than what was originally discussed.
If you receive a request to change how or where a payment is sent, do not send any money until you have independently verified the request.
Always contact your attorney, agent, or company directly using the phone number you already have on file or one obtained from a trusted source. Do not use any phone number, email address, or contact information provided in the suspicious message.
Before sending any funds:
• Verify any changes in payment instructions directly with the company or law firm.
• Contact your known representative using a trusted phone number.
• Be cautious of requests that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act immediately.
• Never provide financial or personal information without confirming the legitimacy of the request.
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often use information gathered from public records, social media, or previous communications to make their requests appear legitimate.
If you believe you have been targeted by this scam or have already sent money, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately and notify your financial institution.
A few minutes spent verifying a payment request could save you from becoming the victim of fraud