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HCSO

Halifax County Sheriff's Office

Carrying Concealed Permit Scam

If you receive a text message from an out of NC area code telling you that your Carrying Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit is ready, and it asks you to click on a link, this is a fraud.

The process of obtaining a CCW permit on average takes 6 to 8 weeks. You are instructed to use the Permitium website to apply for this permit. Please remember your login and password so that at anytime you can go in and check on the status of your application. The status will say “pending” until your permit is approved by the Sheriff’s Office. Remember this takes on average 6 to 8 weeks. Once this is done you will receive a text message instructing you to call the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. This message will NEVER contain a link. If you receive an email concerning your CCW and it asks you to click on a link to claim your permit this is fraudulent. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK.

Someone you are unfamiliar requests gift cards purchase

Receiving communications (phone call, email, social media message) from someone you are unfamiliar with requesting you purchase gift cards (Google Play, iTunes, etc.) in exchange for a higher value in cash or prizes. They also may call and fictitiously act as a government agency stating you owe them money and request you pay them back in gift cards. No legitimate agency will request gift cards as a form of payment. If you believe it may be a scam, it probably is. If you have been persuaded into purchasing the cards it’s not too late. As long as you do not scratch the pin number off the card they are still returnable at most retail locations.

An unknown number claiming to be the Social Security

Receiving communications (more likely phone calls in this case) from an unknown number claiming to be the Social Security Administration stating that something is wrong with your social security number. However, they will ask you to confirm the number. Even if the person you are speaking with knows some or all of your number do not confirm it. There are systems scammers use to predict a portion of a citizen’s social security number. If you are concerned something is actually wrong with your social security number, hang up and call your local social security administration office. Halifax County Social Security Administration can be reached at 1-866-269-2010 or 252-537-4010.

Charity organizations reaching out for donations

Receiving communications (phone call, email, social media message) from someone claiming to be a charity organization reaching out for donations: Covid relief funds, disaster relief funds, etc. Verify all charities through the IRS Tax Exemption website https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/. Any organization asking you to send funds to a foreign bank it is more than likely a scam. If the person contacting you seems to be pressuring or rushing you into making a contribution they are likely a scammer. If the person contacting you makes very general claims instead of specifics as to how your donation will help the organization it is likely a scam.

Claiming that if you send them your CashTag on Cashapp that they will send you money

Receiving communications (popular on social media) from someone claiming that if you send them your CashTag on Cashapp that they will send you money. Never give anyone your Cashtag that you do not know or trust. Scammers are likely able to hack into your account once given your Cashtag. As a general reminder, never send anyone that you do not know funds on the premise of receiving a larger sum.

In Closing

In closing, always stay on your guard to prevent being scammed. Scammers are now using phone spoofing apps to obtain a phone number with a local area code in an attempt to gain the potential victim’s trust. Never respond with yes to any question asked by a number you do not recognize. A scammer can use the acknowledgment with your voice as a tool to scam. Scammers are at an all-time with a good portion of the population working from home and their children virtually learning. The Cyber Readiness Institute has prepared a guide to secure your remote workplace which can be found at https://www.cyberreadinessinstitute.org/cyber-readiness-news/securing-a-remote-workforce. Stay updated at http://cybercrimesupport.org/covid-19-scam-alerts/, which is where some of the information in the above bullet points was gathered from. Another site with helpful tips can be found at ncdoj.gov/internet-safety. You can also report a scam to the NC Attorney General’s Office at https://ncdoj.gov/report-robocalls/