MY OFFICE IS STILL GETTING REPORTS OF CITIZENS LOSING MONEY IN INTERNET AND MAIL SCAMS AND FRAUDS. PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE AND GET COPIES TO YOUR FRIENDS AND ESPECIALLY SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE A TARGET OF THESE CRIMES. THESE CROOKS ARE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES OR MISSISSIPPI AND IF YOU FALL FOR ONE OF THESE SCAMS NEITHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OUR OFFICE WILL BE ABLE TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK. CONTACT OUR OFFICE OR YOUR BANKER BEFORE YOU RESPOND TO ANY OF THESE THINGS.

THESE EMAILS COME FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND GENERALLY INVOLVE TRYING TO GET YOU TO "HELP" THEM GET MONEY OUT OF THEIR COUNTRY TO AMERICA. BUT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PLANS AND SCHEMES USED AND THEY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME. THE CLASSIC SCAM IS THE "NIGERIAN PUBLIC OFFICIAL SCAM".

ALL THESE SCAMS INVOLVE THEM SENDING YOU FUNDS OR MONEY AND YOU SENDING THEM FUNDS BACK. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES AND AT SOME POINT YOU GET LEFT HOLDING THE BAG AND YOU LOSE YOUR MONEY. THEY WILL ALSO TRY TO GET YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH AND OTHER INFORMATION IN ORDER TO TRY TO GET FALSE CREDIT CARDS ISSUED TO THEM OR TO MAKE CHARGES TO YOUR ACCOUNTS.

INTERNET VERIFICATION OF CREDIT CARDS PAYPAL STATUS OR BANK ACCOUNTS
YOU MAY GET AN EMAIL WHICH WANTS YOU TO RESPOND WITH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS, YOUR CREDIT CARDS OR "PAY PAL" [THIS IS A COMPANY WHICH HANDLES PAYMENTS TO INTERNET SHOPPERS]

DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE EMAILS. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION TO STEAL FROM YOU. IF YOU RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM A COMPANY YOU NORMALLY DEAL WITH YOU SHOULD CALL THEIR PHONE LISTED IN THE PHONE BOOK OR ON THE BACK OF YOUR CREDIT CARD TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ACTUALLY DEALING WITH THE REAL COMPANY AND NOT CROOKS. EVEN IF THERE IS A PHONE NUMBER IN THE EMAIL TO CALL DO NOT CALL THAT ONE BECAUSE IT MAY BE A FAKE SET UP BY THE CROOKS.

IN THESE YOU ARE TOLD YOU WON MILLIONS IN A LOTTERY [OR CONTEST OR SWEEPSTAKES] SOMEWHERE BUT YOU MUST SEND THEM MONEY FOR TAXES, HANDLING COSTS, PROCESSING COSTS. THESE ARE SCAMS. IF YOU WANT TO PLAY THE LOTTERY GO TO LOUISIANA AND GET A REAL LOTTERY TICKET.

THESE INVOLVE YOU LISTING SOMETHING FOR SALE ON EBAY. THE CROOK GETS THE BID. THEY SEND YOU WHAT LOOKS LIKE A REAL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER OR CASHIERS CHECK. THEN THEY NOTIFY YOU THEIR FAMILY MEMBER DIED, OR GOT CANCER OR GOT CALLED UP FOR ACTIVE DUTY IN THE MILITARY AND THEY DO NOT NEED THE ITEM SOLD BUT THEY TELL YOU TO DEPOSIT THEIR CHECK, MONEY ORDER, CASHIERS CHECK KEEP A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR YOUR TROUBLE AND WIRE OR MAIL THEM THE REST. THEIR MONEY ORDER, CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK IS COUNTERFEIT AND THEY END UP WITH THE MONEY YOU SENT THEM AND YOU LOSE IT.

DURING CHRISTMAS WE ARE PRONE TO GIVE FOR GOOD CAUSES. BE SURE THE CAUSE YOU GIVE TO IS LEGITIMATE.  THE BEST CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS GROUP TO GIVE TO IS YOUR OWN CHURCH! YOU CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THEY DO WITH THE MONEY. IF YOU WANT TO GIVE TO CHILDREN GROUPS LOOK AROUND YOUR OWN CITY OR COUNTY FOR A GROUP WORKING WITH CHILDREN. KEEP YOUR MONEY IN THE AREA.   THE SECRETARY OF STATE SENDS OUT TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES A REPORT TELLING HOW MUCH EACH REGISTERED CHARITY IN MISSISSIPPI SPENDS ON CHARITIES VERSUS SALARIES AND EXPENSES.

SINCERELY,
HALDON J. KITTRELL
DISTRICT ATTORNEY