Altamont Residents Being Victimized by Scam

Altamont city police and Effingham County sheriff's deputies are working to stop a scam that has already victimized at least one Altamont resident.

Altamont Police Officer John Cotton said someone is phoning Altamont residents and telling them, falsely, that they represent the Altamont Water Department. They say that the resident has an overdue water bill and if the resident doesn't pay the amount immediately, their water service will be shut off.

The scam artist gives the resident a number to phone to make the scam appear legitimate. When the resident phones the number, someone answers the phone, "Altamont Water Department". If the resident gives the scam artist their credit card or debit card account, it gives the scam artist the opportunity to rip off the resident.

Cotton said at least one person has been ripped off by the scam artist. He said he phoned the number and the person answered the phone, "Altamont Water Department". When Cotton repiled that he works for the Altamont Police Department and that he doesn't know him, the scam artist responded, "You'll never catch me; you're not the first police officer I've dealt with."

If you get such a phone call, simply hang up, and never give out personal financial information unless you are certain of whom you're dealing with.

Cotton also reminds that the Water Department would never be doing such calling outside normal business hours.