Sedona AZ (July 28, 2015) – The following computer scam alert information is from Anthony Palermo, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office community liaison: I have a “company” on the phone telling me of problems with my computer etc. and, because I know this is a scam, I just hang up. Today, I received a call from a woman who told me the same story, but she admitted that she gave the caller... 

Sedona AZ (June 19, 2015) – A 77-year-old Chino Valley resident called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on June 15, 2015, to report a fraud. The man told YCSO deputies that on Thursday, June 11, 2015, he received a cell phone call from a number with an 876 area code. This area code identifies the country of Jamaica, home base for suspects who victimize thousands each year. The suspect/caller... 

Sedona AZ (May 2, 2015) — Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain near the top of the annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for the 2015 filing season, the Internal Revenue Service advises. The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent months as scam artists threaten police arrest, deportation, license revocation and other things.... 

Sedona AZ (March 24, 2015) – As warm weather approaches, Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises homeowners to be on the lookout for spring home project scams run by less than reputable or unqualified contractors. To help consumers avoid costly mistakes and scams, BBB shares the red flags of a home project scam. Whether an air conditioning, pest control, or landscaping need, before saying “yes”... 

Sedona AZ (January 31, 2015) – The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Community Relations Specialist, Anthony Palermo, recently recovered from a 2014 auto accident and now back on the job, is notifying the public of a computer scam that cost a local victim $1,800: A man received a call from con artists posing as a computer repair company. The victim, a 75-year-old man, called police on January... 

Sedona AZ (November 9, 2014) – Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served our country. Unfortunately, it has also become a time to build awareness about scammers who take advantage of veterans and active duty military personnel. Better Business Bureau (BBB) wants to make sure those who serve do not become victims of fraud and encourages them to stay informed about the latest schemes... 

Sedona AZ (October 7, 2014) – A large-scale scam, involving people claiming to represent the IRS via unsolicited phone calls and emails, has cost citizens across the country, including Arizonans, millions of dollars over the last six months. During a press conference, Internal Revenue Service spokesperson Bill Brunson said a group is alleging to represent the IRS — appearing to be legitimate... 

Sedona AZ (July 19, 2014) – Over the last few weeks, a 64-year-old Prescott Valley man lost in excess of $8700 through an email ruse involving a woman supposedly stranded in Nigeria trying to return to the United States. The victim was convinced he was helping someone in need and wired money in four separate transactions. Deputies were called to the victim’s home and his wife... 

Sedona AZ (June 22, 2014) –  Authorities report that two telephone scams are on the rise. The perpetrators seem to be targeting elderly victims, but all citizens are potentially at risk. In the first scam reported to the Consumer Protection Agency, consumers receive unsolicited phone calls from individuals claiming to be local, state or federal law enforcement officers. The caller tells the... 

Sedona AZ (March 8, 2014) – As National Consumer Protection Week comes to a close, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne is reminding Arizonans that financial fraud has many different forms (data breaches, identity theft, and telemarketing scams) and providing tips to help consumers protect themselves. “Scammers often target the most vulnerable people in society, a sobering fact made clear by some...