UCSO continues scam education with library class

According to Sheriff Shawn Dyer, fraud targeting the elderly is a major problem in Union County, as there is “more money lost on (scams) than anything else going on.” And Calamari shared some statistics to illustrate that fact.

From January 2022 to November 2023, there were 55 fraud cases in Union County. From November 2023 to November 2024, there were 117 cases, demonstrating an escalation echoed across the country by reports sourced from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Between November 2023 and November of 2024, Union Countians lost $901,845 due to fraud, although $270,000 of that staggering sum has been recovered.

Calamari also shared common examples of scams used by fraudsters – some even seen among residents of Union County.

To the untrained user, electronics can be particularly dangerous; one scheme involves tricking folks using their computers into calling a technical service number for Microsoft when the company doesn’t have one, wherein the scammer requests access to a victim’s machine.

In those situations, Calamari said the best thing to do is turn off the computer and unplug it from the wall for at least an hour or two, leaving it impervious to further contact. Should any sensitive information be at risk, however, Calamari recommended taking it to a local computer repair shop and having the hard drive wiped.

Unsurprisingly, phones have also become a valuable tool for criminals. With more advanced technology, a cellphone can act like a pocket computer and contain just as much personal information. A real sign of the times, however, is the advent of artificial intelligence.

AI can be used to mimic voices, as exemplified by Calamari when he asked the audience if they could hear him. Like the roomful of yeses, a simple affirmative answer is all a criminal needs. From there, that recording can be used to create a synthetic “voice.”

The tactic is especially potent when employed against victims’ emotions. Calamari said there has been a rise in cases across the country of criminals using the stolen voices of children and grandchildren to steal thousands from their concerned family members.

“You get a phone call, ‘Hey, Grandma, this is Susie Q. I’m in Mexico, I got into a car wreck (or) I’m in jail. Can you send me money?’ Hang up the phone and call your granddaughter, because it’s all a scam,” Calamari warned.

And vigilance must remain high when elderly relatives are at their most vulnerable. Potential scammers will browse obituaries and prey on grieving partners, claiming that the family overpaid on funeral arrangements or demanding some debt that the deceased owed.

“The telephone will say Mountain View or Cochran Funeral Home,” Calamari added, warning that caller ID systems should not necessarily be trusted.

When supposedly contacted by an organization, whether one on the scale of a local funeral home or something as large as the Internal Revenue Service, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid an immediate response, even if criminals often instill fear into their targets.

There are also certain tells that might reveal the attempt as an impersonator. The IRS, for example, will not threaten to call law enforcement or immigration officials over collections, and it is against Georgia law for Medicare to solicit purchases.

Additionally, most legitimate organizations will not ask for payment through gift cards. If a charity sends correspondence, be sure to read the fine print about where their donations go.

In short, Calamari said if something sounds too good to be true, it is, and he advised people to always practice common sense. Act cautiously, and don’t be afraid to hang up on a threatening call or bring a concerning email or letter to the authorities.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 706-439-6066.