Recurrent Scams Warning Issued

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Department is again warning people about a pair of scams that continue to be widely reported.

The first scam features an e-mail that purports to be from the FBI. The recipient is told they have won a large sum of money in a lottery, with the FBI supposedly vouching for the validity of the prize. The intended victim is asked to send deposit and shipping fees. But once the fees are sent the victim hears nothing more and no prize is ever collected.

The second scam features the intended victim being called by someone who supposedly works for Microsoft or another large computer company. The intended victim is asked to turn on their computer to allow for repairs for bogus problems. In reality the computer is loaded with malware that reveals important personal and financial information.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Dick Blust says you should never trust an unsolicited caller who claims they want to repair your computer.