Community cautioned about fake gift card schemes

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. (KOAM) -- The Newton County Sheriff's Office is warning the community about an new gift card scam.

According to a Facebook post made by the Sheriff's Office, they have received complaints about consumers getting scammed with fake gift cards.

Common Gift Card Scams:

• Scammers say they’re from the government
• Scammers say they’re from tech support
• Scammers say they’re a friend or family member with an emergency
• Scammers say you’ve won a prize
• Scammers say they’re from your utility company
• Scammers ask for money after they chat with you on a dating website/app
• Scammers send a check for way more than you expected

The Newton County Sheriff's Office wants to remind people that they will not call and notify anyone of a warrant and request payment with a gift card over the phone.

"Gift cards are for gifts - not to pay a government agency, a family member in trouble, ransom, to keep your utilities on, or anything else," says the Newton County Sheriff's Office.

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