The Dunwoody Police Department is putting out a warning about a spike in sophisticated scams that have been plaguing the area. In a video message delivered via social media, Police Chief Mike Carlson expressed concern over the increasing cases of online and telephone scams. According to the Dunwoody authorities, these fraudulent activities are siphoning significant sums from residents, with the toll reaching into the hundreds of thousands, as mentioned on the city's website.
These cons are not discriminating by age; they target both the young and the elderly alike. Chief Carlson alerted the public to the diversity of the ploys being employed, ranging from fake jury duty and toll violations to enticing cryptocurrency investments and phony calls for Bitcoin ATM usage. The origin of these scams is often as innocuous as a dating app or common messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, where scammers cultivate trust before they strike.
In efforts to combat this surge, Chief Carlson shared some crucial advice to help citizens avoid becoming the next victim of these scams. He was quoted saying, “Beware of unsolicited investment offers, especially online.” Additionally, he suggested avoiding unknown phone numbers and urged residents never to share personal information. "Legitimate agencies like your bank or the IRS will not contact you demanding money or personal details," Chief Carlson added in a statement obtained by the City of Dunwoody official release.
Emphasizing the importance of intuition, Chief Carlson advised, “If something doesn’t feel right — trust your gut." In addition, he encouraged open communication, urging residents to “Talk to a friend or family member. Don’t be scared or embarrassed. These scams are designed to fool anyone.” In case of further inquiries or to report suspicious activities, the department has directed all media requests to Sgt. Michael Cheek via email, as noted by the City of Dunwoody release.
