Sheriff's Fraud Line has increase in calls

The Fraud Line at the Lee County Sheriff's Office has experienced a 208 percent increase in calls in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to that same period in 2008. Sheriff's officials attribute the rise to the economy as well growing awareness about the Fraud Line.

The top three calls types of calls are:

1) Lottery/sweepstakes-related scams.

2) Employment related scams, including Mystery Shoppers and employment offers found on some legitimate Web sites.

3) craigslist - Most ads involve a potential purchaser who is really a con artist.

You can avoid falling prey to scams by taking a few preventative steps:

1. If in doubt, get the person's name and phone number, then call the Fraud Line before sending any money or giving out any information.

2. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it normally is not true.

3. In this current job market, employers do not need to solicit for employees

Ask yourself a few questions: 1. Do they use proper grammar? 2. How is the spelling?

3. Are they using a free e-mail account?

4. Is the e-mail account an overseas e-mail account?

For assistance, call the Sheriff's Office Fraud Line at 477-1242.