Courtesy art

ALPENA – The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a highly convincing scam that has recently been reported in our area involving video calls and fraudulent prize winnings.

In these cases, individuals receive a video or phone call informing them that they have won a large cash prize, often millions of dollars, along with a new vehicle. The caller may appear professional, friendly, and credible, and may even use recognizable branding or names to gain trust.

Recent reports have followed the below outline:

• The caller claims the individual has won a large prize, sometimes tied to a recent holiday (such as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day) or supposed entry through everyday purchases. In this case, the caller listed off multiple major chain stores.

• They may correctly identify personal details such as names, addresses, or family members to appear legitimate.

• Individuals may even be asked to select a vehicle or prize option and are told a “Prize Patrol” will arrive to deliver winnings.

• The initial call often ends without requesting any information, building trust and lowering suspicion.

• A follow-up call is then made hours later, where the scammer begins requesting personal, financial, or identifying information, or demands payment for “processing fees,” “taxes,” or delivery costs.

Please be aware that scammers are employing more advanced methods and are becoming increasingly more difficult to detect. These individuals are using sophisticated tactics to gain trust and make their schemes appear legitimate.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Never provide sensitive personal or financial information.

Taking a moment to pause, verify, and speak with a trusted friend or family member can make all the difference in preventing fraud.

For more information on scams and fraud prevention, please visit our website at: https://www.alpenacounty.org/679/Scam-Phone-Calls and also, https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing