Relief scammers targeting mid-Missourians
The Osage County sheriff is warning residents of scammers targeting mid-Missourians and senior citizens in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and now Hurricane Irma.
Scammers often use natural disasters as a way to target unsuspecting people looking to help.
According to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, this scam involves the scammer calling a family member to send money via MoneyGram or Walmart-to-Walmart to another family member in need of money after the storm. It’s not clear if these scammers are pretending to be related to the victim.
The sheriff also said the scam will often involve someone who is on a drilling rig out in the ocean and will have a secretary pick up the money. They are also asking for money for a place to stay the night.
Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham asks that if you are sending money to a family member always be able to verify that the person you send money is who they say they are.
Natural disasters also bring out charity and fundraising scams. The Federal Trade Commission urges people to do research on any organization they give money to. You can check a charity’s history by checking the BBB.
