Wilkes Resident Victim of Scam

A Wilkes County resident has fallen victim to one of the oldest scams around.  A 77-year-old man called the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department this week.  The victim in this case was contacted by someone claiming that he had won money in a sweepstakes contest.  A check was sent and cashed with the monies being sent through Western Union to Jamaica.  Here’s the problem:  It’s a scam that has been ongoing for years and years and years.  Why?  Because it still works for the crooks.  Here’s the scenario:  You are contacted by someone that says you have won money in a sweepstake and all you have to do is send them money to claim your prize.  If you send the money, then you have just sent money to a crook and you will never see any prize money or sweepstakes winnings.  David Dalrymple with the Better Business Bureau says, first, you can’t win a sweepstakes you haven’t entered, and second, it’s all about you sending them money.  AIR  Dalrymple also has some advice for protecting yourself from scammers and ID theft.  AIR  For more information you may call the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau at 1-800-777-8348 or online www.nwnc.bbb.org .