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Every time the good citizens of the Shreveport / Bossier City area get a little extra money in their pocket, the scammers come out of the woodwork.  It's like a stimulus check, tax refund, or insurance payout from storm damage puts just the right scent in the air for these money hungry preparators to start homing in on their prey - that's us.

Lucky, our thankful shepherds at the Better Business Bureau have put out the warning on these crooks and their latest tactics.  According to KTBS, shysters have been leaning heavily on 2 types of cons lately and both will try to snare you by phone.

The first grift is easy to spot if you know what you're looking for.  Because studies show  people are panic buying gift cards (have been throughout the pandemic), these thieves have been using various stories and scams that all have the same objective - get you to pay over the phone using a gift card.  It could be a speeding ticket that they claim has gone to a warrant, a relative that is stuck in jail and needs help with bail, or any other made up situation that would compel you to pay a stranger for something over the phone.  Once the villain on the other end of the line asks for you to pay with a gift card you can buy at your local grocery store - hang up.  That's the dead giveaway.

The second scam my be a little tougher to spot.  This one preys on folk's desperation in these tough times.  Criminals are posing as IRS or health care providers in an effort to gain personal information that can be used to steal your identity.  This technique is especially effective with people who are awaiting much needed stimulus or tax refund checks.

Officials say that if you feel like something is off - trust your gut and hang up.  After that, report your experience to the BBB so they can track it.  Call (318)-797-1330 visit them online here.

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