Amazon account scam reported in Boonville area

BOONVILLE- Authorities are warning of a scam that has been reported locally.

A village resident claims to have received an email from an Amazon representative about a suspicious purchase. Officials say these fake emails or texts are used to initiate contact.

The scammer went on to bait the resident by claiming they had various other accounts active under their social security number.

Eventually, the listener reports to have been forwarded to another representative for social security, who even provided a badge number.

Fortunately, the resident did not reveal any of their personal information, but they went on to describe how the scammers were very urgent that it was their responsibility to close out these other accounts that were made under their name and information.

When the resident refused to cooperate any further, they said that the scammers threatened them with legal consequences.

A little while later, the listener says they received a call from the Boonville Village Police Department number, with someone on the other end claiming to be the police chief.

However, the real Chief of Police, Dave Olney, confirmed that it was not his department who called this resident (meaning the number was spoofed). The victim described how the scammer threatened them with warrants that would be issued if they did not cooperate.

As always, local officials stress how scammers are so often urgent and use tactics to pressure and or scare their victims into reacting without thinking.

As a precaution, Chief Olney warns to never reveal any personal information to an untrusted source or to anyone trying to pressure you into reacting.

Scam alert image.