CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — The Clarksville Police Department is warning the public of holiday scams circulating the area.
Chief Mark Palmer said when a scam artist calls or texts you can usually see their caller ID. However, with new technology scammers are now able to contact you with what looks like a 812 or 502 area code. This year scammers are targeting people though calls and text messages, whereas in previous years it was through email or on social media.
The chief noted that scam artists are asking for bank information, credit card numbers or for residents to purchase prepaid visa gift cards.
“Once you give them access to a credit card, even if you’re only saying I’m going to donate $10, you’re basically giving them a blank check," Palmer said. "Next thing you know, $10 turns into $10,000 and we’re seeing that quite a bit.”
Palmer said his department has already seen a 40% increase in holiday scams compared to the same time last year.
He said scammers are successful because they're researching the area and using local, reputable charities as their cover -- with some even claiming to be collecting donations for Wounded Veterans and Clarksville’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ program.
“We’ve seen scammers claiming to represent local police and fire departments, charitable organizations, even scammers willing to take advantage of tragic situations such as the Old National Bank shooting in downtown Louisville,” Palmer said.
Clarksville residents who believe they have been contacted by a scam artist are asked to call the Clarksville Police Department’s Non-Emergency line at (812) 288-7151 to file a report. Officials said non-Clarksville residents should contact their local police department.
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