**SCAM ALERT**

ON FRIDAY DEC. 19TH, 2014 A CAMERON PARISH RESIDENT RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL IN WHICH HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS PRE APPROVED FOR A GE CAPTIAL LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $5000. THE CALLER REQUESTED THAT A GREEN DOT CARD BE PURCHASED. THE VICTIM THEN CALLED BACK WITH THE CARD NUMBER AND WAS TOLD HIS LOAN WOULD BE APPROVED WITHIN 15 MINUTES. WHEN THE MONEY DID NOT APPEAR IN THE VICTIMS ACCOUNT BY THE NEXT MORNING THE VICTIM CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN AND WAS TOLD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER GREEN DOT CARD. TO DATE THE VICTIM HAS BEEN SCAMMED OUT OF $500 DOLLARS. IF YOU RECEIVE A SIMILAR TELEPHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE OFFERING YOU A LOAN BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY MONEY UP FRONT IT IS A SCAM. DON'T BE FOOLED BY A REALLY LOW INTEREST RATE OR ANY SWEET DEAL THEY OFFER. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON THIS TYPE OF CRIME UNFORTUNATELY COMES AROUND. IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FILE A REPORT.