Amador County - With the Holiday Season, there is traditionally an increase in the number of fraud attempts reported to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. The Amador County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind all citizens in Amador County to protect themselves and their loved ones from these types of frauds.

On November 28th, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious circumstances where a citizen received a phone call that she thought was a phone scam. A male subject called and told her that he worked for UPS Special Delivery. The subject advised her that she was the monthly sweepstakes winner of $2.5 million and that he could deliver $55,000 cash in a black leather briefcase to her.

The caller asked her three questions: if she was American, if she was over 65, and if she had a valid California driver's license. The man said that, based on her answers, her tax obligation would be 1 percent of the total winnings, $25,000.

Fortunately, the citizen did not provide any personal identifying information to the caller, and instead contacted the Amador County Sheriff’s Office.

Seniors may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and inexpensive vacations.

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