Don’t believe your caller ID.

Law enforcement officers will tell you technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information, so the names and numbers seen in our homes or on our cell phones aren’t always real.

If someone calls asking for money or personal information, it’s best to hang up. If you believe the caller was telling the truth, call back a certified number you know is genuine that represents their company.

Fraud awareness is important this time of year, as our giving spirit combines with the tradition of Christmas bonuses to create a little more disposable income this month as compared to other months.

That means scammers are as prevalent in December as holiday sales.

The following was shared this week by police in Kenner, but the impact could just as easily touch us in the River Parishes.

Police were notified of a phone scam Tuesday involving the City of Kenner. It was reported someone, likely using a Spoof App, was calling residents and advising them of outstanding fines and fees that needed to be paid immediately. The caller was directing individuals to another number in an attempt to obtain a person’s personal information. Caller ID was showing the initial calls originating from the City of Kenner.

Lieutenant Brian McGregor and Chief Michael J. Glaser, in a plea to area residents, reported the calls are a SCAM, adding those receiving such calls should contact the Clerk of Court’s office at 504-468-7277.

Kenner police shared the following tips to avoid criminals this Christmas or any other time of the year. You can also sign up for free scam alerts at ftc.gov/scams.

Spot imposters. Scammers pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, family member, charity or company you do business with. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request — whether it comes as a text, a phone call or an email.

Do online searches. Type a company or product name into your favorite search engine with words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” Search for a phrase that describes your situation, like “IRS call.” You can even search for phone numbers to see if other people have reported them as scams

Don’t pay up front for a promise. Someone might ask you to pay in advance for debt relief, credit and loan offers, mortgage assistance or a job. If you do, they will probably take the money and disappear.

Consider how you pay. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. That’s also true for reloadable cards like MoneyPak, Reloadit or Vanilla. Government offices and honest companies won’t require you to use these payment methods.

Hang up on robocalls. If you answer the phone and hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report it to the FTC or your local police department. These calls are illegal and often the products are bogus. Don’t press 1 to speak to a person or to be taken off the list. That could lead to more calls.

Be skeptical about free trial offers. Before you agree to a free trial, research the company and read the cancellation policy. Review your monthly statements for charges you don’t recognize.

Don’t deposit a check and wire money back. By law, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. If a check you deposit turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for repaying the bank.

Stephen Hemelt is publisher and editor of L’OBSERVATEUR. He can be reached at 985-652-9545 or stephen.hemelt@lobservateur.com.