FREE ! TAKE ONE HOME! A Publication of
Vol. 37 | No. 17 January 9, 2025 1411 West Dakota Parkway Suite 2a | Williston, North Dakota 701-572-4851 | info@vocella.com
Servin' up savings since 1988
Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers W
illiston has seen an uptick in scam activity recently, and it’s catching the attention of law enforcement and residents alike. From phone calls claiming you’ve got a warrant to fraudsters posing as federal agents, these schemes are designed to intimidate and confuse. A little awareness goes a long way in avoiding their traps. Let’s break down what’s happening, the tactics they’re using, and how you can stay ahead of these scammers. Scams Making the Rounds First up, we have the old “you’ve got a warrant” scam. It goes like this: you get a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement. They say there’s a warrant out for your arrest, but don’t panic—they can clear it up for you right now! All you have to do is pay up, usually in gift cards, wire transfers or even cryptocurrency. This is 100% bogus. Real officers don’t call you up for payments, and they certainly don’t ask for Target gift cards. Another scam making
waves involves people pretending to be from the Department of Homeland Security. They’ll tell you a package addressed to you has been seized, and to “release” it, they need your personal information. No legit agency operates like this. If Homeland Security needs to contact you, they’ll do it officially—not through a random phone call. These scams are no joke, but a little knowledge can keep
you safe. The Williams County Sheriff’s Office has been on top of this, urging residents to stay alert and never give out personal or financial details to unknown callers. How to Outsmart Scammers It’s pretty easy to outwit these scammers if you know what to look for. Here are some tips to keep you—and your hard-earned money— safe:
Don’t overshare. Got an unexpected call? Don’t start handing out your Social Security number or bank details. If the call feels fishy, trust your gut. Say no to weird payments. If someone demands payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, it’s a scam. End of story. Double-check. If you’re unsure whether a call is real, hang up and call the organiza-
tion back using a number you find on their official website. Never use the number they give you—it’s probably part of the scam. Report tt. If you get a scam call, report it to local law enforcement. Not only does this help them keep track of scams in the area, but it also helps protect your neighbors. Why Scammers Love Williston You might wonder, “Why here?” Scammers target places like Williston because our community is tight-knit. They bank on our trust in one another and hope we won’t second-guess a call that seems urgent or official. But we’re smarter than that, right? Scammers are getting more creative, but with a little vigilance, you can stay ahead of their games. If you ever get a strange call, take a breath, think it through and don’t let them rattle you. Remember, the sheriff isn’t calling for bail money via Bitcoin. Stay safe out there, Williston, and let’s keep looking out for each other!
Not Every Battle Needs to Be Fought in the Comments Section Put down the keyboard and pick up some real-world positivity. Instead of debating in the comments, try volunteering, planting a tree, or joining a community cleanup. Channel that energy into something that actually changes the world. Bonus: Nobody’s going to call you a troll for it.
The ShOpper