ATLANTA -- The FBI started warning the public about the "hit man" scam early in 2007, and recently it has shown up in Coastal Georgia.
In the scam, an individual writes an email threatening to kill the recipient if he does not pay him thousands of dollars. The person claims to be a hired assassin, who knows where the recipient lives and works. If he gets a reply from someone requesting that he stop his threats, the scammer gets more aggressive in his messages.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services is offering presentations around the state on how to avoid becoming a victim of telemarketing scams. To schedule a free presentation in your area, call DAS' Elder Rights Team Leader at (404) 657-9589.
"We want to educate people on ways to avoid becoming a victim of fraud," DAS Director Maria Greene said. "We have trained staff doing presentations on telemarketing scams."
DAS offers the follow tips:
• Do not respond in any way.
• Do not send any money.
• Keep the message and contact local law enforcement.
• Report the threat to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, online at http://www.ic3.gov/. IC3 receives, develops, and refers criminal complaints regarding cyber crime, and provides an electronic reporting system for filing a complaint involving criminal Internet activity online.
• Spread the word about the scam to other Internet uses.
For more information on how to avoid telemarketing scams or to schedule a presentation on the topic, call the DHR Division of Aging Services' Elder Rights Team Leader at (404) 657-9589.
For information on services available to older adults in Georgia, call 1-866-552-4464.
In the scam, an individual writes an email threatening to kill the recipient if he does not pay him thousands of dollars. The person claims to be a hired assassin, who knows where the recipient lives and works. If he gets a reply from someone requesting that he stop his threats, the scammer gets more aggressive in his messages.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services is offering presentations around the state on how to avoid becoming a victim of telemarketing scams. To schedule a free presentation in your area, call DAS' Elder Rights Team Leader at (404) 657-9589.
"We want to educate people on ways to avoid becoming a victim of fraud," DAS Director Maria Greene said. "We have trained staff doing presentations on telemarketing scams."
DAS offers the follow tips:
• Do not respond in any way.
• Do not send any money.
• Keep the message and contact local law enforcement.
• Report the threat to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, online at http://www.ic3.gov/. IC3 receives, develops, and refers criminal complaints regarding cyber crime, and provides an electronic reporting system for filing a complaint involving criminal Internet activity online.
• Spread the word about the scam to other Internet uses.
For more information on how to avoid telemarketing scams or to schedule a presentation on the topic, call the DHR Division of Aging Services' Elder Rights Team Leader at (404) 657-9589.
For information on services available to older adults in Georgia, call 1-866-552-4464.