The Halifax County Sheriff's Office has seen yet another increase in scams done over the phone.

Lieutenant Bobby Martin said the scammer calls you up and tells you that you have won some money and just needs to verify who you are. “They make it sound so very good because they have your address, phone number, and your date of birth.”

Martin said don’t be fooled by these people because the next thing they ask for is your account information to transfer your winnings into it. “When they get your account information they can then take all the money you have in that account. These callers are trying everything in the book to get you to give up just a bit of pertinent information and they can have free range of your assets.”

Martin said callers are usually of foreign descent and will at times become belligerent with you and even threaten you. “They will tell you that the FBI is coming to get you if you don't comply with their demands. If you receive these calls simply hang up and do not give them any personal information,” Martin said. “There is always someone out there that is willing to take advantage of you, be leery of these calls or any that seem to good to be true.”