\u201cMost of these scams want the individual being scammed to purchase Green Dot money cards,\u201d said Cortez Police Lt. Andy Brock.<\/p>\n
After instructing victims to secure a pre-paid debit card, Brock warned that scammers then demand payments for any number of reasons, including an outstanding arrest warrant, computer virus repair, inaccurate W-2 filing, lottery winning, secret shopper purchase or overdue utility bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever give out any personal information \u2013 address, date of birth, social security number, banking information, family information \u2013 to anyone over the phone, \u201d Brock warned.<\/p>\n
Brock advised if the telephone solicitor speaks with an accent, fails to repeat the offer or refuses to provide contact information, then simply hang up.<\/p>\n
Financial transactions using a pre-paid debit cards are nearly impossible to track, Brock also warned.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are any second thoughts, then the money is usually already gone,\u201d Brock said. \u201cYou can\u2019t stop the payment.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Brock, the police department has received as many as 10 calls per week regarding telephone scams.<\/p>\n