Computers can become high-tech theft devices

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 3, 2004

It used to be that thieves broke into your home to steal your belongings. Nowadays, they can take your money without ever leaving their own house.

Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton is warning residents to be cautious when communicating vital financial information via e-mail.

Sexton said scam artists have been known to forward e-mails to people by pretending to be a representative of their financial institution.

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The scammer will tell the potential victim there is a problem with their

account and that they need the individual's bank account number, Social Security number or other personal information to fix it.

The scammer will then use the information to steal money from the victim's account. The sheriff said his office received a complaint last week from a Chesapeake area resident.

"The Internet has created a vast new world and new opportunities for an individual to shop, communicate and learn while sitting in their own home," Sexton said. "However, even though a person may feel safe in their own home, scam artists daily are implementing new methods to commit acts of theft using a personal computer and the Internet."

The sheriff advised that anyone who gets such an e-mail should immediately contact their financial institution in person or by telephone

and report the suspicious e-mail.