(Spirit Lake)– Local residents are being warned of yet another scam that’s making the rounds.
Lieutenant Don Gude of the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office says a number of local residents have received fake notices in the mail stating that their vehicle has been recalled. The notices have bold print on the front that says “Second notice: vehicle owner please call at your earliest convenience concerning your vehicle.” That’s followed by a 1-877 number.
Gude says when you call that number, you’re instructed to leave all kinds of personal information you’re asked to type in using the keypad on your phone. Gude says he called the number and it took 17 minutes before he was finally able to talk to a person.
Gude says there are several tell-tale signs on the notice that it’s bogus. The first is that it says on the return address “not affiliated with the manufacturer”. Gude says the perpetrators go so far as to ask for bank account information, including your account number and bank routing number. He says that should also serve as a warning, since legitimate recall notices never ask for such information.
If you get a suspect recall notice, Gude recommends you contact the dealer from which you purchased your vehicle. If you do have a valid recall, Gude recommends having that dealership do the work.
