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NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff’s Office has had a few similar-type phone and internet scams reported in the past week, where an alleged Microsoft spokesman says via phone call or email that child pornography has been detected from their IP address in an attempt to get the user to call a number to report a potential hacker or identity theft.

“We have had two or three of these reported in the last four days,” said Investigator Ruston Cavin of Adams County Sheriff’s Office. “Fortunately, those who have received these have had family members stop them from calling the number and say it’s suspicious.”

Additionally, Cavin said there has been an uptick in checks stolen out of the mail in the area, “six or seven over the last six weeks.”

To protect themselves, Cavin advised residents to not send checks in the mail and instead use other payment methods such as money orders.

Those who receive phone calls or emails out of the blue should never give out personal information. Honest organizations won’t call, email or text to ask for information such as a Social Security number, bank account or credit card number.

Never click on links in an email, even if it’s from a known company, but instead contact them directly using a website or phone number that you know is real.