Marion Police warn locals of scam going around after resident bilked out of $8,000

“We recently took a report where the victim lost $8,000 due to scammers pretending to be US Customs and Border Protection.

These impostors send you a recorded message saying illegal items were shipped in your name and have been intercepted, or they may say a warrant is out for your arrest. They will demand payment for more information using crypto, gift cards or wire transfers. They will also demand banking account info or your social security number. Do not do it! It’s a scam! If you receive such a call, please keep in mind:

Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security will not call you out of the blue with promises of money or threats. Hang up! Don’t give out any personal information.

These government agencies don’t use gift cards, crypto or wire transfers.

Don’t trust caller ID! Scammers can make their phone numbers look real even if they’re not.”-Marion Police Department.