[StBernard] SCAM ALERT!

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish warns of alleged scam where callers ask for social
security numbers and promise housing help

Do not give sensitive information over phone

 

St. Bernard Parish Government wants to warn citizens of an apparent scam and
encourages residents to never give sensitive information over the phone such
as social security numbers.

 

Clay Cosse, Director of St. Bernard's Department of Housing and
Redevelopment, said he learned of the potential problem after his employees
received two phone calls Monday from residents who said they were contacted
by phone by people who said they worked for the federal Disaster Housing
Assistance Program that gave rental assistance following Hurricane Katrina. 

 

While Cosse's office does work with DHAP recipients, no one from St. Bernard
Parish Government would ever ask anyone for any sensitive, personal
information over the phone. 

 

"The only thing the parish would call you for is to set up an appointment to
come to the Government Complex. We are not asking for any information over
the phone," Cosse said.

 

In what appears to be a scam, Cosse said the callers told the residents they
could give them housing assistance if they gave them their social security
numbers, place of employment and annual income. 

 

"This is contrary to proper procedures for any government agency," Cosse
said.

 

Cosse said his office learned of the problem Monday. Because the callers
gave a non-operating phone number to the people, two of the residents then
called St. Bernard Parish Government's Department of Housing and
Redevelopment and asked if they had anyone calling citizens about DHAP
assistance and asking for personal information.