Dearborn Warns Residents About Online Scammers Impersonating Officials

Dearborn MI

06 July, 2022

1:13 PM

Description

DEARBORN, MI — Dearborn officials warned residents Wednesday that scammers are impersonating elected officials on social media to steal money. Officials said the scammers are presenting themselves as government officials, such as the chief of police or members of city council in an attempt to gain personal information through messages on social media. Officials told residents to immediately block and report the account if you receive a message from a government official on social media. Government agencies and elected officials will never call, email, direct message, or text you to ask for money or personal information, Dearborn officials said. Officials said some fake accounts can appear similar to a real account. For example, the username might include the name of the government official. The account might even share the same profile picture or description, or may post identical photos previously shared on a real account. Here are a few tips to avoid scammers, according to the Federal Trade Commission: Don't wire money, send cash, or use gift cards or cryptocurrency to pay someone who says they are from the government. Don't send personal or financial information to someone who texts, calls, direct messages, or emails and says they are with the government. Don't click on links in unexpected emails, texts, or direct messages. They could be viruses. Anyone that has received a message from one of these fraudulent accounts, or if you feel that an account is trying to solicit personal or financial information from you was asked to call Sargent Harless at the Dearborn Police Detective Bureau at 313 943-2132.