The City of Helotes is battling against an uptick in phishing scams, particularly those targeted at social media users interested in city events. The community has been warned to stay alert following numerous reports of scam profiles and deceptive messages designed to extract personal and financial information.
According to the official City of Helotes website, these scammers ingeniously create fake profiles, pretending to offer 'extra vendor spots' or requesting victims to message them personally. While they may seem genuine, these profiles are anything but, preying on the unwary in an attempt to syphon off sensitive data and hard-earned cash.
It's been made clear that official city information comes exclusively through two authentic portals – www.helotes-tx.gov and www.helotesmarketplace.gov. Be it about an upcoming event or general city administration, real representatives will never reach out for credit card details or such via social media channels. "The City of Helotes will never ask for sensitive information, such as credit card details, via social media," the website states as a strict communication guideline to observe.
Events in the City of Helotes take pride in being accessible, not hidden behind a paywall. It's been highlighted that attending these community gatherings is complimentary, emphasizing that any account or post that offers to sell or is selling tickets stands in violation of city principles and likely, a scammer's bait. As soon as they encounter discussed by the spam comments or fishy accounts, residents are urged to report these incidents. "If you come across any spam comments or suspicious accounts, please report them immediately," encourages community action while enforcing awareness, as per the City's website.
