The Carson City Sheriff's Office is warning of a new phone scam targeting the public where scammers have, in some instances, come to peoples' homes.
According to a release, the scam involves callers claiming to be a family member who was involved in an accident.
They claim to be injured, in legal trouble, and unable to speak appropriately, the release says. They then give a phone number for victims to call.
When victims call that number they are asked for money to pay for legal fees.
In some of these scams, victims have given their home address to the scammers and given money to people who show up at their home.
The Sheriff's Office reminds people to stay vigilant against scam calls.
"Scammers evolve their tactics and different scenarios are frequently reported," said the Sheriff's Office release. "If a suspicious call is received, people should hang up and not provide personal information. People should not agree to meet and give money to people they do not know and cannot verify their identity."
The Sheriff's Office has the following advice for dealing with scam calls:
- Do not provide personal information over the phone to an unknown person.
- Do not provide financial information over the phone to an unknown person.
- Do not agree to meet anyone in person.
The CCSO is investigating the reported telephone scams in which the scammers showed up at the victim's houses to collect money.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a telephone scam you are advised to call Carson City Non-Emergency Dispatch at (775) 887-2677.
If the scammer is currently at your home to collect money, you are urged to call 911.
