LYON COUNTY — The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about an uptick in fraudulent phone calls, where scammers impersonate government officials or business representatives. The callers claim the recipient owes a debt and demand payment in unconventional forms, such as gift cards, iTunes, or PayPal credits.
Once the victim purchases the gift cards, the scammer instructs them to share the numbers on the back, enabling immediate access to the funds. Authorities emphasize that no legitimate government agency or business accepts payment via gift cards.
In some cases, the scammers stay on the line as the victim travels to make the purchase, a behavior officials warn is highly suspicious and unprofessional.
The Sheriff’s Office urges residents, especially older individuals who are often targeted, to be vigilant and to inform their family members about these schemes. Anyone uncertain about the legitimacy of a call is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office for guidance.
Remember: if it sounds too unusual to be true, it probably is.
