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Officials warn be wary of suspicious offers, email scamsFeb 16, 2012 (Aiken Standard - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- It's been said time and time again, but the message bears repeating -- if it's too good to be true it probably is. Walmart, SCE&G and even the Aiken Jaycees have been the latest names attached to a number of scams aimed at bilking people out of their hard earned money. In the case of SCE&G, scammers have been posing as SCE&G employees over the phone, requesting immediate payment of bills and threatening customers that their service will be disconnected if there is no payment. The power company is notifying its customers that SCE&G does not demand payment. Bill payments are only accepted at SCE&G business offices by mail, online or through SCE&G's phone payment provider, Bill Matrix or by calling (800) 450-9160. Customers should call customer service at (800) 251-7234 to verify they are speaking with a company representative. Walmart isn't immune from the world of scammers, either. An Aiken resident notified the Aiken Standard that she received a letter from the corporation looking for "qualified evaluators." Evaluators were told they would receive a check or money order from between $800 and $2,850 and possibly more to "buy. buy. buy." The victim was later asked to wire money from the checks as a way to evaluate the wiring services at Walmart. Locally, the Aiken Jaycees have been targeted, as well. Computer hackers reportedly accessed the group's email addresses and sent a message that preys on the emotions of its recipients. The email is addressed as if it is coming from a family member who is in trouble overseas. The traveling family member asks that money be wired overseas, because "all cash and credit card were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us," according to text from the email. Recipients of the email notified the Aiken Standard of the scam. Police have been notified of the incidents. Contact Karen Daily at [email protected]. ___ (c)2012 the Aiken Standard (Aiken, S.C.) Visit the Aiken Standard (Aiken, S.C.) at www.aikenstandard.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |