Chief Neal Lartigue of the Ville Platte Police Department would like to make the citizens of the city aware that scam artists are continuing to target our area.  The elderly are especially vulnerable to these scam artists.  The scams range from people stating that they are with Medicare/ Medicaid on the phone to people taking copies of charge receipts that have account numbers on them.  Chief Lartigue stated that the detectives are currently working multiple cases of these types of scams.  “Be diligent when using your credit or debit card” Chief Lartigue said, “Make sure that you have the receipt and you haven’t left a receipt lying around.”  If you receive a call from anyone you are not familiar with you are asked to pay close attention.  “Most of the calls are coming from someone with an accent and they are asking for information that you should never give over the phone.” Chief Lartigue said, “If they ask you for any type of account information do not give them this information.”  Phone scammers are also asking residents to go to a local store and put money on some type of cash card or green dot card to collect something they have won.  “This is also a scam” Lartigue said, “You shouldn’t have to pay any amount of money for a prize or sweepstakes that you have won.” 

            Chief Lartigue has organized a business and personal affairs seminar to help businesses and citizens learn more about these types of dangers.  The public and business owners are invited to join Law Enforcement and other key speakers at the North Side Civic Center on January 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.  Topics scheduled for discussion are scams and how to protect yourself, what to do if you feel you are being targeted by a scam artist and general safety measures for citizens using internet or online purchasing.  For business owners the topics will also include NSF checks and forgeries.

            This seminar will last approximately an hour and will provide beneficial information for citizens and businesses for protection and reporting these incidents. 

            For more information contact the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.