Friday, June 24, 2016

State warns of multiple scams

KSP warns citizens of scams
The Kentucky State Police in Mayfield has received complaints in the past weeks from people advising there have been scam phone calls from someone stating they are with the “Financial Crimes Department”.

The caller will state that a debt is owed and if they are not paid within three hours, a warrant will be issued and the “state police” will be at your residence to arrest you.

These individuals do not identify themselves as working for any specific agency only as working for “Financial Crimes Department” and imply that they are with the state police. The Kentucky State Police will not call you and solicit money with the threat of arrest. When the number given in the recording is called back the line is disconnected as soon as there is mention of contacting the police.

Another scam that has been reported involves a subject calling to advise the person being called that they have won a vacation or a cruise. However, the caller then states that they need a credit card number to charge $293 to hold the vacation or cruise.

KSP is asking people to remember that you cannot win something that you did not enter and that you should not have to pay money to receive a prize that you have won.

KSP wants to encourage the public to never give anyone their personal information over the phone. If you receive a suspicious phone call, contact KSP at 1-800-222-5555.


Kentucky Labor Cabinet Department of Workers’ Claims warns of workers’ compensation scam
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet Department of Workers’ Claims has learned of a telephone scam in which individuals are told that they have been awarded workers’ compensation benefits and that those benefits will be released once a certain “tax” or “fee” has been paid. The caller may identify themselves as being a member of the “Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.”  The public should not fall for this scam.  Workers’ compensation beneficiaries are not contacted in this manner and no taxes are payable on benefits.  In addition, there is no entity in Kentucky known as the “Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.”

Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey advises Kentuckians to be on guard for potentially fraudulent phone calls. “Unfortunately, there are people out there who are always trying to take advantage of unsuspecting citizens,” Sec. Ramsey said. “I encourage people to use common sense on this matter and to not provide any personal information to persons making unsolicited contact.  If it sounds suspicious or too good to be true, do not hesitate to contact the Department of Workers’ Claims.  I also encourage all Kentuckians who feel that they might have received one of these solicitations to report them directly to the Office of Inspector General for the Labor Cabinet.”

Consumers may contact the Office of Inspector General at 502-564-1985 and Eppc.oig@ky.gov or the Attorney General’s office at 502-696-5300.