THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM not sure if your newspaper has already done this story, but it appears that the phone scam artists operating out of Montego Bay are intensifying their efforts.

Within the past week, no less than four members of my household have been contacted by these criminals. On the last occasion, an individual purporting to be an employee of the Magna Rewards programme claimed to have a cheque valuing $400,000 for my mother. The problem was that she does not have or never had applied for one of the cards.

Clueless

The individual also offered hotel packages and free flights if she sent her personal information and deposit cash into a particular account. Fortunately, my mother is not a gullible person and as soon as she declared that she would not give out her personal info on the phone, the individual hung up. We are left clueless as to how they got her name because her cellphone is registered in my name.

I am imploring all Jamaicans to watch out for these con artists and not to be duped by their scams. Remember not to give out personal info such as ID, passport or credit card details to individuals over the phone. Furthermore, if you have to pay money to collect a prize, then that should be a red flag in your mind. A relative who lives in New Jersey this week told me of an elderly woman who recently committed suicide after being scammed out of $18,000 by the lotto scammers operating out of Montego Bay. Don't let this happen to you or your loved ones.

I am, etc.,

ALEX WILLIAMS

jamaican_critic@yahoo.com

Kingston 19

Via Go-Jamaica