Watch Out for These New Scams Hitting Louisiana

Louisiana residents should be on high alert for scams involving impersonation, particularly those posing as legal professionals or government officials. These fraudsters often target vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly and lower income, claiming to offer legal representation or demanding urgent action.

They may use pressure tactics over the phone or via email, insisting on immediate payment or the disclosure of sensitive personal information. A key red flag is the sense of urgency; legitimate lawyers and officials will not rush you into a decision.

To protect yourself, always verify a lawyer’s credentials through the state bar association website before engaging with them. Never provide personal or financial details to an unverified source, especially if they are pressuring you for a quick response.

Celebrity and Relationship Scams

Another pervasive scam that Louisianans should be aware of is the celebrity relationship scam. Scammers create fake online profiles, pretending to be well-known figures seeking a romantic connection.

They often initiate contact through social media platforms and may even use AI-generated audio or video to enhance their deception. Once they have built a rapport and gained the victim's trust, they begin requesting money.

These requests are typically for peer-to-peer payments, gift cards, or wire transfers—methods that are difficult to trace. It's crucial to remember that no legitimate celebrity will ever ask a fan for money. The golden rule is simple: never send money to someone you have not met in person, especially if the request involves untraceable payment methods.

Business Email Compromise

Businesses in Louisiana, regardless of their size, are susceptible to business email compromise (BEC) scams. This type of fraud involves a scammer hacking into a company's or a vendor's email system and impersonating a legitimate contact.

They then send a fraudulent email to a business employee, requesting a change in payment accounts for an upcoming invoice. The email will often look authentic, using the correct logos and formatting. However, the bank account information provided is for the scammer’s account.

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To avoid falling victim to a BEC scam, employees should always pause and confirm any changes to payment information. This verification should be done through a known and verified channel, such as a phone number listed in your company's directory, not by replying to the suspicious email itself.

Protecting Yourself

While scams evolve, vigilance remains the best defense. Always verify the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information. Be skeptical of fraudulent investment opportunities—if an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is.

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Finally, be wary of any pressure to pay with gift cards, a common tactic used by scammers to make transactions untraceable. By staying informed and cautious, Louisiana residents can better protect themselves from these and other types of fraud.

Resources Available in Shreveport for Scam Victims

If you or someone you know in Shreveport has been a victim of a scam, there are a number of resources available to help. Reporting the scam is the first and most important step to take. This not only aids in your own recovery but also helps law enforcement and consumer protection agencies track and prevent future fraud.

Reporting Agencies and Hotlines

• Louisiana Attorney General's Office: The Consumer Protection Section of the Louisiana Attorney General's Office handles consumer complaints, including those related to scams and fraudulent practices. You can reach them at 1-800-351-4889.

• Shreveport Fraud Hotline: The City of Shreveport has a dedicated Fraud Hotline for citizens to report fraud, waste, or misuse of city resources. While primarily for government-related fraud, they may be able to direct you to the right local authorities for other types of scams. You can call them at 318-222-5698 or use their online form.

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: If the victim is 60 or older, you can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). This service is run by the U.S. Department of Justice and provides case managers to help victims through the reporting process and connect them with additional resources.

Specialized Assistance

• Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS): If the scam involves misuse of public assistance benefits or EBT cards, the DCFS has a fraud hotline at 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578), option 6.

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): For scams that occurred online, such as celebrity relationship scams or business email compromises, you should file a report with the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov.

Credit Reporting Agencies: If a scammer has stolen your personal information, you should check your credit reports and place a fraud alert. You can access your free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus by visiting annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

It's also important to contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you have sent money to a scammer. They can help you with steps to reverse transactions and secure your accounts.