The Kerrville Police Department has been experiencing an onslaught of calls and reports over concerns with scamming.
In an effort to combat scammers targeting community members, Sergeant Johnathan Lamb recently gave a presentation at Dietert Center detailing how to identify a scam and raise awareness for the issue.
“Almost every single day we get a phone call where there was either a scam attempt or an a successful attempt. A lot of the scams that are actually working are the impersonation scams,” said Lamb.
Scamming is not just a local issue, with over 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission, it is apparent that scamming is on the rise nationally. The FTC also reported that impersonation is the most common form of fraud.
“ A lot of stuff we’re seeing is also going on nationwide. Text messages about road tolls or about transferring money from a compromised bank account. They will use a voiceover internet protocol where they can buy a phone number. They can then set the caller ID to show whatever they want, like Kerrville Police Department. We’ve had scammers impersonate Chief McCall, Lt. Martin Morris, and me,” said Lamb.
What makes scamming a difficult crime to defend against is how convincing the imposters can be. Scammers will gather public information online to make their impersonation scams more realistic and effective.
KPD’s presentation on scam awareness helped attendees more cautious of red flags.
“We want to not make people feel bad for falling victim to these scammers. They’re good at it, they’re professionals. They have a script and know how to counter the arguments to overcome resistance,” said Lamb.
KPD lays out four signs for identifying a scam: Claiming to be from an organization you are familiar with, saying there is a problem, applying pressure for immediate action, and demanding specific payment types–like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wiring funds.
“A lot of times they’re dealing with older folks who were taught to really respect authority or may find the technology aspect intimidating–it’s a whole new language for folks and the terminology can be confusing,” said Lamb.
Lamb’s presentation emphasized that law enforcement and government agencies will never contact someone over the phone threatening arrest, fines, or asking for information. Also, banks and credit unions will not call to transfer money to “protect” it.
After Lamb’s presentation, a significant hail storm blew into the northern portion of the county, which prompted Lamb to issue the following warning and advice regarding out-of-town contractors.
• Report Your Storm Damage Claim: Contact your insurance agent ASAP. Your claims adjuster will determine the scope of the damage, which can help you determine if a contractor’s estimate is reasonable. Your adjuster may be able to make a contractor recommendation.
• Get More Than One Estimate: Reputable contractors aren’t pushy or demanding, and they understand that getting multiple bids is a part of the process. If a contractor is overly aggressive in trying to secure your business right away, that’s a red flag.
• Do Your Research: Look for a local company with a good reputation. Avoid storm scammers by checking a contractor’s track record through your local Better Business Bureau, Home Builders Association or insurance claims adjuster. A reputable contractor will be licensed and bonded, and will be able to supply local operating permits as well as certificates of insurance for property, liability and workers compensation coverages.
• Get It in Writing: Get the details of your contract in writing, not just the cost estimate. Make sure it specifies the cost, time schedules, payment schedules, guarantees and any other expectations. Do not leave any portion of the contract blank – mark through blank lines as needed. If you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation and always keep a copy of the contract for yourself.
• Save Full Payment for When the Storm Damage Is Fixed: A small initial deposit is reasonable, but trustworthy contractors won’t ask for full payment before the job is done. Determine who will pay the contractor for the work: you or your insurance company. Do not pay the contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is completed to your satisfaction and in compliance with local building codes.