CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division says it received 176 scam complaints in July, continuing a trend of high‑volume fraud targeting residents across the state. Officials released the Top 5 Scams reported last month, with Medicare impersonation, robocalls, and phishing emails leading the list.
Medicare scams remain the most common, with fraudsters posing as government representatives to obtain personal information. Robocall schemes also surged, pushing fake offers related to loans, loan forgiveness, and even funeral expenses. Email phishing attempts frequently involved fake invoices appearing to come from legitimate businesses.
Sweepstakes and lottery scams continue to trick victims into believing they’ve won a prize, while Social Security impersonation scams round out the top five — often delivered through calls, texts, or emails claiming urgent action is required.
Officials urge residents to stay vigilant, noting that scammers often spoof phone numbers, mimic government agencies, and pressure victims to act quickly.
How to Protect Yourself
- Be cautious of caller ID — scammers can spoof familiar numbers.
- Ignore unexpected prize or contest notifications.
- Hang up on suspicious calls and dial back using verified numbers.
- Keep records of interactions and financial transactions.
- Independently verify identities, companies, and claims.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t transfer money for strangers.
- Don’t forward packages for online acquaintances.
- Don’t pay with gift cards — legitimate businesses never request them.
- Don’t pay money to claim prizes.
- Don’t share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers.
- Don’t send money to people you haven’t met in person — including online romantic interests.
Residents can learn more or file a scam report at ago.wv.gov or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1‑800‑368‑8808.
