The eviction moratorium might have been extended until October third, but scammers are reportedly still taking advantage of the situation to prey on victims. President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana Carmen Million said if someone contacts you asking for personal financial information to be leery.
“Somebody’s calling them or emailing them or texting them and telling them that they are going to give them a grant and the process is easy they just need money, you should be really concerned at that point,” said Million.
Million said unfortunately people who are facing eviction are the last people that need to lose money right now, but scammers are playing on their emotions. Million said even their phone numbers appear legitimate on caller ID.
“You can’t trust caller ID because these scammers can manipulate the phone system to make it look like they’re calling you from somewhere in the United States when but in most cases these scammers are out of a foreign country,” said Million.
Million said she hears of scams daily that use a current situation, like the pandemic and the looming end of the eviction moratorium to prey on their next victim. Million said anyone is game and never assume you won’t be a victim.
“What I really want to be clear on is that it doesn’t matter how smart you are, it doesn’t matter what your background is, doesn’t matter what your education is if the timing is right anybody can be a victim of a scam,” said Million.
If you have received such a call you are encouraged to report to the Better Business Bureau website.
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