READING, Pa. – Berks County officials are warning residents about an increase in scams across the county, saying fraud attempts are becoming more frequent and increasingly severe.
County leadership came together Tuesday to raise awareness about the growing problem, to explain how to identify scams and to offer advice on what to do if someone becomes a victim.
According to county officials, scams and fraud are affecting all corners of Berks County in some form nearly every day.
Those schemes include mailed arrest warrants, voicemails from scammers impersonating sheriff’s deputies and fraudulent emails targeting county vendors.
District Attorney John Adams said scammers continue to steal thousands of dollars from victims, often convincing them to buy gift cards or send money through cryptocurrency machines.
Once the money is sent, recovering it can be extremely difficult.
“It’s almost impossible to identify who the scammers are,” Adams said.
Scams can take many forms, including romance scams, fake technical support calls, fraudulent social media posts and artificial intelligence impersonating family members.
Despite the different approaches, Adams said they often share one common goal: getting victims to hand over money.
“If someone asked for money, hang up,” Adams warned.
Officials urge residents to think twice before responding to unexpected calls, messages or requests for money.
They also recommend independently contacting the person or organization involved by using a verified phone number before sharing personal information or sending money.
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