Authorities are reminding area residents to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls after an individual in Jefferson lost $1,000 to a scammer. At approximately 4:39 p.m. Saturday, the victim contacted the Jefferson Police Department and reported they had received a phone call directing them to purchase $1,000 in gift cards. They then provided the information on the back to the person on the other end of the line. Law enforcement reminds residents that no legitimate business or organization will ever demand payment over the phone via gift card or wire transfer. Best practice is to hang up if a call seems suspicious and to call the agency the scammer claims to be from directly. Due to the nature of these crimes, lost money often cannot be returned.
