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King County prosecutors share tips to avoid scams

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has a new division aimed at keeping you and your money safe.

SEATTLE — The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office's new division on Economic Crimes and Wage Theft aims to keep people and their money safe. 

On Tuesday, they offered a presentation to highlight ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

"I think we've all heard the adage that if it's too good to be true, it probably is," Leesa Manion, the King County prosecuting attorney, said.

 Prosecutors said people need to be aware of the warning signs and that doesn't just mean for the holiday season.

"In the holiday season you see more holiday related scams, you see more too good to be true deals, more exploitation of people, especially vulnerable people," Hugo Torres, a senior deputy prosecutor, said.

Among the tips shared, prosecutors say you should never click on links in emails from senders you don't recognize, especially those promising gifts or prizes. 

Officials also said to be aware that criminals are now using AI to alter caller ID's and pretend they're someone they're not. If you get a call, never give our personal information and avoid giving out financial details unless you initiated the call. If someone asks you for payment in gift cards, they say, it's almost always a sign of a scam.

"I think we've all heard the adage that if it's too good to be true, it probably is. But when people feel under pressure or they feel desperate, they want to believe the things that are landing in their inbox," Manion said. Prosecutors say people can recoup their losses if they have identity theft protection, but it has a rippling effect.

"That of course then is money the banks are out and that gets spread around and we all end up paying more in fees," Danika Adams, a senior deputy prosecutor, said. 

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