It had to happen because there are bad actors seemingly around every corner, and I don't mean bad movies. I mean crooks, scoundrels, hackers, criminals, you name it, ready to take your money.

This time the scammer masquerades as  law enforcement and calls residents claiming they have unpaid fines that will result in arrests unless money is forwarded. The Kent County Sheriff's office says if you get one of these calls, you are told to buy prepaid cards and send them the card numbers.

Internet crime and electronic banking security
BrianAJackson/Getty Images
loading...

RED FLAG! RED FLAG! Buy a prepaid card and send me the number? Are you kidding?

But, the sheriff's office says that the "bad guys" spoof genuine phone numbers belonging to law enforcement agencies, making it seem like the call is coming from a trusted source.

Sheriff Badge
NoahBryant/Getty Images
loading...

Fox17 reports that these stupid scam call are really difficult to trace making it tough for law enforcement to get after the bad guys. So, we have to be vigilant, and smart about it because the Sheriff's office says that that they would never call you to request payment.

You know what's doubly sad about this? People have fallen for it and run right out, bought prepaid cards and sent them the numbers. Ack! Shame on you!

Man using a ATM
sanjagrujic/Getty Images
loading...

There are many more wild scams floating around. For instance, someone sends you a check and you're asked to cash it and send them the money. The check is forged, of course.

photo by Ilya Pavlov on unsplash
photo by Ilya Pavlov on unsplash
loading...

This scam I actually have received. I got a call from someone supposedly from Microsoft claiming that they detected a virus in my computer and they need to take control to clean everything up. I laughed and hung up!

Confused man having phone call
SIphotography/Getty Images
loading...

Common sense is the key here. Be cautious when you get a call from an unrecognized phone number. If you do answer, don't give away any personal or banking information, and hang up. If you think it may have been legit, don't call back, but call the place, bank, whatever to verify if they actually did call.

Be safe!

See 20 Ways America Has Changed Since 9/11

For those of us who lived through 9/11, the day’s events will forever be emblazoned on our consciousnesses, a terrible tragedy we can’t, and won’t, forget. Now, two decades on, Stacker reflects back on the events of 9/11 and many of the ways the world has changed since then. Using information from news reports, government sources, and research centers, this is a list of 20 aspects of American life that were forever altered by the events of that day. From language to air travel to our handling of immigration and foreign policy, read on to see just how much life in the United States was affected by 9/11.

More From Magic 104.9