The Folsom Police Department is issuing a warning to local residents about a surge in scam phone calls and text messages targeting individuals throughout the community, specifically the elderly. Scammers are impersonating credible organizations, government entities, and even family members to bilk unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned money and confidential information.
With cunning precision and the element of surprise on their side, these swindlers deploy familiar ploys—appearing as trusted contacts, stirring a sense of urgency, and often possessing a fair knowledge of personal details about their targets. The Folsom Police leverage this moment to advise people against confirming or sharing any sensitive information over the phone. "Don't take the bait," a release on the City of Folsom official website warns. They further recommend that individuals should let unknown calls go to voicemail and seek verification of any dubious messages by using official contact details found on legitimate documents or websites instead of calling back the number from which the call or message originated.
The advice doesn't end there. The Police Department continues to caution residents against clicking any suspicious links that come through texts, emails, or voicemail, as these could be baits designed to harvest personal data. Instead, they stress on the importance of verifying by logging directly into the account in question or calling back through a trusted phone number.
Furthermore, they encourage engaging with a trusted friend or relative if something seems amiss. "If something feels off, hang up and talk it through with a friend or family member before taking any action," the Folsom Police recommend as per the City of Folsom website, reminding the community that a second opinion can often be the shield that wards off potential scams. Residents who believe they have fallen prey to fraudulent schemes, or have noticed suspicious activity, are urged to report to the Folsom Police Department by calling 916-461-6400 (option 1).
For more tips and to stay updated on the latest advisories, you can visit the City of Folsom's official website.
