Safety Tips from Wentzville PD: How to Avoid Scams

WhatisArtificial Intelligence?

ArtificialIntelligence,orAI,isatechnologythat enablesmachinestomimichumanthoughtand behavior.WhileAIhasrevolutionizedvarious industries,enhancingexperiencessuchas personalizedstreamingrecommendations, convenientnavigationandhealthtracking,it's essentialtobeawareofitspotentialmisusebythose withmaliciousintent.

Recognizingwarningsignsiscrucial:becautious ofunsolicitedcallspressuringforimmediate action,requestsforunconventionalpayment methodslikegiftcardsorcryptocurrencyand inquiriesforpersonaldetails.Unfortunately, scammerscanuseAItoimpersonatelovedonesin distress,persuadingindividualstosendmoneyor sensitiveinformationunderfalsepretenses.Evenif thecallersoundsfamiliar,exercisevigilance.

AvoidrelyingsolelyonCallerID,asitcanbe manipulatedbyscammers.Tosafeguardyourself andyourlovedones,confirmthecaller'sidentity throughpredeterminedsafetymeasuresorby contactinganotherfamilymemberforverification. Additionally,reviewandadjustsocialmediaprivacy settingstolimitexposuretopotentiallydeceptive audioandvideocontent.

Ifyoususpectyou'vefallenvictimtoascam,act swiftlytomitigatedamage.Contacttherelevant financialinstitutiontoreversecharges,cancel compromisedcardsandreporttheincidenttothe WentzvillePoliceDepartment.Reportingsuch incidentscontributestoraisingawarenessand preventingfuturescams.

Ifyouhavedealtwithscamsinthepastorface futurescams,don’thesistatereachingouttothe WentzvillePoliceDepartment.Ourgoalistokeep everyresidentsafeandallowyoutofeelsecure againstpotentialscams.

Stayinformedandvigilant.Formoreinformation, visithealth.mo.gov/seniors/scams.php.

WentzvillePoliceDepartment

Emergency:9-1-1

Non-EmergencyLine:(636)327-5105

Police@wentzvillemo.gov

www.wentzvillemo.gov/PD

1019SchroederCreekBlvd., Wentzville,MO63385

PaymentRequests

Protectyourselffromscamsbybeingcautiouswith requestsformoneyorpersonalinformation, especiallyiftheyareunexpected.Research potentialscamsonline,anddon'ttrustcallerIDs blindly.Avoidpayingupfrontandconsiderpayment methodscarefully.Signupforfreescamalertsat ftc.gov/scams.WhiletheCityofWentzville'sUtility Billingdivisionmayuseautomatedcallsandtexts forinformationpurposes,theywillneverrequest payment.Forutilitybillinquiries,contacttheCity directlyat(636)639-2155.

DoNotClickon

UnknownLinks

Becautiousofunfamiliarlinks,especiallythose circulatingonsocialmedia.Arecentexample includesalinkpromotingthesaleofhooded sweatshirtswithanoutdatedlogo,claimingtobe affiliatedwiththeWentzvillePoliceDepartment. Pleasebeawarethatwearenotassociatedwith suchsales.Theselinkscanoftenleadtoscamsor fraud.Werecommendalwaysverifyingthe legitimacyofanyonlineofferbeforeengaging. Protectingyourpersonalinformationandensuring youronlinesafetyisparamount.Exercisediscretion andstaysafewhilenavigatingdigitalspaces.

StayAlertDuring TaxSeason

Duringtaxseason,safeguardyourselfagainst potentialscamsbystayingwaryofunexpected communicationspurportingtobefromtheIRS.Avoid fallingvictimtophoneandphishingemailschemes, whichoftenimpersonatetheIRSwithfakewarnings orrequestsforpersonalinformation.Remember,the IRSneverinitiatescontactviaemailorphoneforsuch details.BecautiousofemailsbearingtheIRSlogo andrefrainfromsharingpasswordsorconfidential data.Fileyourtaxespromptlytomitigatetheriskof taxidentitytheft,andoptforreputabletaxpreparers withpropercredentials.Protectyourpersonal informationbysecurelystoringsensitivedocuments andusingasecureinternetconnectionforonline filings.Stayvigilantthistaxseason,anddon't hesitatetoseekhelpifneeded.

Scan here for more information!

www.wentzvillemo.gov/IRSTaxScams

BeAwareofScamCalls

Inthepast,wehavereceivedreportsofscamcalls falselyclaimingtobefromtheWentzvillePolice Department.Thesecallshaveinvolvedthreatening arrestwarrantsunlessimmediatepaymentismade overthephoneorviaVisagiftcards.

Pleaseknow,wewillneverdemandpaymentinthis manner.It'scrucialnottopurchasegiftcardsor disclosepinnumberstothesescammers.Ifyou're unsureaboutacall'slegitimacy,reachouttous.Stay vigilant,andbesafe.

TheWentzvillePoliceDepartmentadvisesresidents tobevigilantaboutpossiblegiftcardscams. Scammersoftenlurevictimswithfalsepromisesof largeprizes,suchasclaimingthatyouhavewona substantialjackpot.Theymayrequestthatyou purchaseagiftcardandprovidethemwiththe card'sPINasaconditiontoclaimthesupposed prize.Remember,legitimateorganizationsdonot requirepaymentintheformofgiftcardstocollect winningsorservices.

Alwaysverifytheauthenticityofanyprize notification,andnevershareyourgiftcarddetails withanyone.Ifyouencountersuspiciousrequestsor believeyoumightbeatargetofascam,please contactusimmediatelyforassistanceandguidance.