Sheriff warns against holiday scams

Staff Report

The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Charles Guillory are reminding the public to be vigilant and aware of on-going scams this holiday season.
The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office received information from the public regarding a new scam using phony text messages being sent by scammers under the name of several local businesses including Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. These scammers are sending text messages to various people telling their would-be victims that they have won different prizes to include power drills and other hardware items. Embedded within the text message is a link the receiver is supposed to click on in order to claim their prize.
Sheriff Guillory and EPSO detectives conducted an inquiry into this scam after receiving information from the public which revealed none of the local businesses were sending text messages to the public regarding prize claims.
“It’s the holiday season, and scammers are stepping up their game because they know the public are on their mobile devices and computers spending money,” commented Sheriff Guillory. “That’s why I want to make the public aware of these scams, not just in my parish but the entire Acadiana area. And, if someone does receive a strange text message or email and doesn’t know where or whom it came from that contains a link to click on, I would strongly advise against it. It needs to be deleted from the device and/or reported to local law enforcement.”