From NATIONAL SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION
The National Sheriffs’ Association has released a public service announcement featuring Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn. In the video, Wasylyshyn gives advice on how people can help protect themselves from scams.
Criminal networks are using phone calls, text messages, social media, and fraudulent ads online to deceive Americans – often posing as law enforcement, legitimate businesses, or people victims trust.
“Sheriffs across the country are fighting back, but local law enforcement cannot do it alone,” NSA Executive Director and CEO Justin Smith said. “We are calling on Congress and the Trump Administration to keep the pressure on criminal networks, with tougher enforcement, real accountability for bad actors, and additional resources to shut these operations down – many of which operate overseas and target Americans at scale.”
Americans now see an estimated 15 billion fraudulent ads online every day, and in 2025, consumers lost $12.5 billion nationwide to fraud and scams, according to federal estimates and internal social media platform documents. These crimes range from romance and investment schemes to fake “tech support” and impersonation frauds that can drain life savings and destroy credit.
These sorts of criminals rush their victims and pressure them. They demand money or personal information – often using fear and urgency to override common sense.
Law enforcement officials urge residents to remember five steps:
- Slow down
- Verify
- Hang up
- Don’t click
- Don’t send money
For more information on how to protect oneself and one’s family, visit the NSA website at www.sheriffs.org/stopscams. To watch the video featuring Wasylyshyn, click here.
