One of the most threatening issues our community faces is falling victim to phishing: a fraudulent practice in which scammers lure sensitive information from individuals, such as passwords and credit card numbers. The Federal Trade Commission has provided helpful resources to educate and protect individuals from this crime.
Scams are among the most common crimes perpetrated against the citizens in our community. You can help keep your money safe by exercising good judgment and practicing online safety. If you are unsure if something is a scam, remember: if it doesn’t seem right, it may not be.
The most vulnerable members of the community are often older or less technologically adept. Education, along with open communication with family and friends, will help you protect yourself against scams. If you have doubts and no one to ask about the legitimacy of something, you can request a telephone call from an officer.
We estimate that between August 2023 and May 2024, over $833,643.14 has been obtained through various scams from residents within the Town of Leland. We have compiled information on these scams to help keep our citizens informed and aware.
I have been scammed, what do I do?
Please call the Brunswick County 911 Center. We understand that your situation may not constitute an emergency. Our telecommunicators are trained to gather detailed information and dispatch the appropriate agency to take your report. After filing a police report, we strongly recommend reporting the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, Federal Trade Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. If your credit or debit cards have been compromised, we advise you to notify your financial institution to request a new card and inform them that your account has been compromised. This may or may not result in reimbursement of lost funds
I received a call from the police department informing me of a warrant and demanding payment to resolve the issue. What should I do?
Neither the Leland Police Department nor the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, including their investigative or patrol staff, accept payment for any criminal processes. Payments for secured bonds, court fees, or costs can only be made through the court system.
Criminal processes such as warrants, indictments, and magistrate’s orders are issued by the court and can only be resolved through a judicial process involving a court official. Only officers and deputies are authorized to serve these processes. Warrants and other criminal processes cannot be deleted or removed without the defendant appearing before a judicial official.
I contacted Microsoft for tech support, and they discovered viruses. Their technician asked me to pay with a gift card. Is this normal?
No, it is not. Legitimate businesses like Microsoft do not accept payment via gift cards. Gift cards are commonly used in scams because once the gift card numbers are transferred, the funds are instantly accessible and difficult to recover. Many scam call centers manipulate search engine algorithms to appear as top results. Therefore, do not trust phone numbers obtained from internet searches without visiting the legitimate business's official website.
If you're experiencing computer issues, we recommend seeking help from a reputable business. There are computer repair services available in both Wilmington and Leland if you prefer to use a physical store.
The Leland Police Department called me from their telephone number and requested payment over the phone for an issue. Is this normal?
No, it is not. Leland Police Department staff do not have the authority to accept any form of payment. All services provided by the Police Department are free of charge. In today’s technological landscape, caller identification numbers can be ‘spoofed,’ allowing callers to display any number they choose on the recipient’s phone.
If you receive a call like this, do not provide any money or gift cards to the caller. These individuals often use psychological tactics, such as social engineering, to deceive their victims. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from the police department, please contact us directly at (910) 371-1100 or visit our front desk to speak with our staff.
I am being blackmailed by person(s) online after sending private or adult images that appear to be of me, which I did not take. What should I do?
First and foremost, contact the Brunswick County Communications 911 Center and request to file a report. We encourage the public to practice safe internet use. Remember that sending sensitive or private images to anyone carries risks. Parents are also encouraged to monitor and control their children’s internet activity and educate them on this topic.
In the State of North Carolina, disclosing someone else’s private images without their consent is a felony.
I am in a relationship with a person online whom I have never met. They are asking me for money or gift cards. Is this suspicious? What should I do if I have already sent money to them?
Yes, this is suspicious. Many 'romance scams' involve a person meeting someone online, convincing them they need money, and manipulating the victim into sending thousands of dollars. Some scams create a false sense of hope by suggesting the money is needed for the scammer to visit in person, only to continually present new problems that require more money to solve. These scams are particularly harmful because victims often genuinely believe they are communicating with a romantic partner online and may not realize it is a scam until after sending a significant amount of money.
My credit card has been compromised, and I don’t know how!
Credit and debit cards, even those protected by a PIN, can be compromised. The Leland Police Department has been alerted to the possible presence of 'skimmers' and encourages the public to exercise caution when swiping or inserting their debit cards into terminals. Skimmers work by capturing card information and often include a keypad to record PIN entries, thus 'skimming' credit card numbers and PINs from unsuspecting customers. These skimmers are typically covers that can be attached to card readers using tape or glue. They are designed to closely resemble legitimate card readers, making them difficult to detect.
If you are uncertain about a particular card reader, DO NOT USE IT. Instead, contact the store manager and explain your concerns about the reader possibly being a skimmer.
The Leland Police Department is dedicated to protecting residents from crime. Our officers aim to protect citizens of Leland from becoming victims by anticipating, recognizing, and assessing the crime risk opportunity and initiating appropriate action to eliminate or reduce the opportunity for crime to occur. There are ways you can keep yourself, your family, and your belongings safe from crime by taking preventative measures. If you or someone you know fall victim to a crime, please call 911.