MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson is again warning residents about a recent spurt of telephone scams targeting the elderly.
In one case, a mountain resident received over 40 calls in a 2-day period from the same telephone number: 876-587-7904, says the Sheriff’s Office. They warn that area code 876 is the local telephone area code of Jamaica.
Sheriff Anderson says the 876 area code has become notorious with lottery and sweepstake fraud calls announcing lottery winnings.
In the mountain case, the victim was told that he had entered in a $2.5 million drawing, and opted to receive $2,500 worth of merchandize. In order to receive his winnings, the victim had to wire $1,000.00 to Joe Campbell, 301 South Normandy Avenue, #201, Los Angeles, CA 90084, to cover shipping, handling and taxes.
Sheriff Anderson says no matter how convincing the person on the other end of the phone may sound, you can be sure there is no prize.
“There was never any prize, because you never have to send any amount of money if you really won.”
Anderson also cautions residents about counterfeit checks that arrive accompanied by a YOU JUST WON letter. The amount of the check is often more than the alleged prize, with instructions to cash the check and wire back the overage to cover shipping, handling and taxes. Sheriff Anderson says, “That too is a scam.”
