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Consumer Protection Division received 401 scam reports in August, including new impersonation and video-call sweepstakes schemes The West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is reporting that the Consumer Protection Division received 401 reports of scams in August, with Medicare scams topping the list. The Consumer Protection Division is also warning consumers about two newly reported scam tactics: scammers impersonating West Virginia state representatives and scammers using video calls to claim consumers have won sweepstakes or lottery prizes. Of the 401 scam complaints the Consumer Protection Division received in August, the top scams were: The Consumer Protection Division received reports involving a scammer who claimed to be a representative of the State of West Virginia and offered insurance and other subsidies. One consumer reported receiving approximately 70 calls from the scammer, who used spoofed West Virginia telephone numbers to make the calls appear legitimate. These calls were live rather than automated or robotic. Consumers should remember that scammers can use technology to “spoof” caller ID, making a call appear to come from a familiar or legitimate West Virginia telephone number. Additionally, the Consumer Protection Division is warning West Virginians about a sweepstakes scam involving video calls. Scammers use What’s App, Facetime and other applications with video capabilities. These calls typically come from an email address and numbers are not usually listed. Many consumers who reported this scam did not answer. When consumers have answered, they say the scammer’s video screen is black and they cannot see the scammer, but the scammer can see them. Ways to protect yourself You can find out more about scams, ways to protect yourself, and file a scam report at ago.wv.gov. Likewise, you can call our Consumer Protection Hotline and speak with our Scam Coordinator at 1-800-368-8808. ### WV Office of the Attorney General 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E WV State Capitol Building Room E-26 Charleston , WV 25305 United States Privacy, Security and Accessibility | WV.gov | USA.gov | © 2026 State of West Virginia