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Phone scam selling ads for nonexistent calendar
Friday, August 22, 2008 9:22 PM EDT
Multiple questions and complaints have arisen from residents who have received phone calls from individuals claiming to be with the Fleming County Chamber of Commerce and asking for support with advertising on a calendar magnet.
According to information from the chamber, the claim is not true and the chamber "has no affiliation with the callers," a Chamber spokesperson said. It appears the scammers are attempting to get financial information including credit card information as well as bank account information, according to officials.
According to an e-mail from the chamber, "anytime there is some sort of fund-raising or a reason to sell ad space, you would be contacted by someone from the Chamber office staff or Board of Directors but never a third party. We try to e-mail our membership in advance of any projects or activities we have ongoing and we assure each of you that this caller is in no way associated with our organization."
The Chamber is urging anyone who is contacted to withhold financial information form the caller.
"If you have already been contacted and you've given them financial information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to inform them of the situation so the charges can be cancelled and whatever other steps are necessary to protect the account and your identity can be taken," officials said.
Anyone receiving these calls is also asked to call the Flemingsburg Police or the Fleming County Sheriff's Office to report the crime.
"This allows a report to be on file in case fraud or theft charges ever come into play," officials said.
The activity may also be reported to the Better Business Bureau at 800-866-6668. The BBB will need the business name the caller uses, a phone number for the business, and/or their address.
Any further questions should be directed to the Fleming County Chamber of Commerce at 606-845-1223.
Contact Todd Curtis at todd.curtis@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
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