Sheriff Jay Russell warns of another scam that is targeting potential victims via mail. A recent scam involves parish residents receiving a letter that appears official but has a fake U.S. Department of Treasury heading. It is signed using the name Jacob “Jack” Lew, Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
The letter states the Secretary, along with the World Bank and United Nations, selects 20 people each year to receive $500,000 due to being previously scammed in some fashion. The letter advises the recipient they have been selected as one of the twenty recipients for this year. The letter then asks for wire transfer information for your account so the money can be wired and your onetime payment of $150.00 for processing the claim.
Again, this is a scam. All the information is fictitious. Sheriff Russell reminds everyone to never give out your personal account information or other personal information to letters or phone calls such as this. Should you receive any letters or phone calls of this nature, report them to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-329-1200 or your local law enforcement agency.