Dubuque Police have recently become aware of an increase in scam attempts, some of which involve fraudulent references to Publisher’s Clearing House.
Dubuque Police have recently become aware of an increase in scam attempts, some of which involve fraudulent references to Publisher’s Clearing House. In one case, a local resident was scammed out of nearly $6,000. Residents are again cautioned to be very suspicious of any correspondence (phone calls, emails, letters, etc.) that pertain to winning cash and/or prizes – especially when such correspondence is unsolicited and they have not entered any such sweepstakes, lottery, etc. Often, the scammer attempts to solicit funds from the victim, claiming they have to pay a tax, processing fee, transaction fee, etc. in order to claim their “prize”.
Additionally, police continue to get frequent reports of cases in which scammers purport themselves as loved ones in need of immediate financial assistance, often describing elaborate scenarios that have prompted their financial dilemma. Regardless of the scammer’s scenario or ploy, always verify the legitimacy of the person or business PRIOR to relinquishing money or personal information – regardless of the circumstances or how convincing the person might be.
If you are the victim of a scam, contact the dispatch non-emergency number (563-589-4415) to report the incident to police.