Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1513133
Thursday, December 14-December 20, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 5 Tryon.com/Winterfest Answers to Word Search Scoring a great deal this holiday season is exciting. Unfortunately, con artists are using that same feeling of excitement to lure shoppers into scams. This con uses text messages and fake customer surveys to steal valuable information from unsuspecting victims. How the scam works Scammers send you a text message that appears to be from a well-known chain store. As part of a holiday deal, the "store" is offering a free product, discount, or gift card to anyone who completes a short questionnaire or survey. Of course, they explain, this is a limited- time offer so you'll need to act fast if you want to receive your gift. If you click the link, you won't go to the store's offi cial website. Instead, it will take you to a third- party website where you'll be asked to fi ll out a form that asks you for personal information, such as your full name, address, email, and more. By clicking on the link, you may even download malware onto your device, giving scammers access to even more personal information. Watch out for similar survey scams, even after the holidays. How to avoid fake survey scams • Know the signs of a phony text message. Unsolicited text messages are usually not from trustworthy sources. Reputable businesses will get your permission to send you a text before sending anything to your inbox. Fake texts often contain suspicious-looking links and contain typos and other errors, too • Watch out for rewards that sound too good to be true. Remember that legitimate businesses run surveys to understand their customers. They may offer a modest discount to encourage participation, but the reward is not the focus. If someone offers you a valuable product or gift card in exchange for completing a two-minute survey, it's probably a scam. • Limited-time offers could be a red fl ag. Scammers often use a sense of urgency to get their victims to hand over valuable information without thinking. Be careful if a text message says something like, "If you complete this survey in the next 10 minutes, you'll win a prize!" Don't let yourself be pushed into action without really examining the message fi rst. • Remember that scammers conceal their identity. Many scam surveys are very vague about their purpose and who is running them. If you can't fi gure out who or where the survey is coming from, don't take it. • Do some research. If you aren't sure about a survey, do an internet search to fi nd out more information. Look for links to the survey on a business's offi cial website. You can also do a search using the survey name and the word "scam" to see if there are any reports about it being fake. You can also chec k BBB Scam Tracker to see if there are any reports of the survey, or look up the survey company on BBB. org to see their rating and if they are BBB Accredited. Article Provided By: Juliana O'Rork BBB Scam Alert: Survey scam gets a holiday twist Rutherford County Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg pleads his case with Santa Claus at the sheriff's department Christmas party. Sheriff Ellenburg is holding one of the bears that were give to each of the children. Employees of the year, as chosen by their peers within the department, were presented plaques. Patrol offi cer: Joseph McComas Investigator: Ryan Bailey School Resource Offi cer: Bill Short Civil Offi cer: Marvin Escobar Detention Offi cer: T.J. Boykins Courthouse Security: Brett Hooper Narcotics Offi cer: Jamie Mode Forensics Investigator: Seth Watkins Offi ce Employee: Victoria Atkins Article & Photo Provided By: Pat Nanney Naughty or Nice? OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 17 • 1-3pm 124 W. 7TH STREET, RUTHERFORDTON Walk to Historic Downtown Rutherfordton! This updated home built in 1910 offers main level living! 3BR, 2BA with over 2,100 sq.ft. You must see to appreciate all the features this home has to offer. Easy access to Kiwanis Park w/dog park, Purple Martin Greenway, restaurants & shopping. $339,900. Marketed & Hosted by: Lara Holbrook 828-302-3073 DIR: From Main St. in Rutherfordton, turn onto West 7th St., home is on the right, see sign. 127 First Ave. NE • Hickory, NC 828-322-1005 www.cbbh.com "Each offi ce is independently owned & operated"