Scammers, it seems to us, never run short of schemes to part people from their money.

The police agency involved in one of the latest is the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. According to the agency, the scammer will inform the target that their name was used to rent a vehicle which was stopped at the border and contained a large quantity of drugs.

The scammer then has the target verify their Social Security number or tells the target their bank account has been compromised. In some cases, the scammer threatens the target with arrest for the fictional drug seizure and instructs the person, over the phone, to send money via gift card or wire transfer to pay a “fine” or to assist with the investigation or with resetting the bank account.

There are apparently a number of variations on this basic, heinous theme, which, we understand, has been around for awhile, rearing it’s ugly head from time to time.

Take our word for it. Law enforcement will not cold call anyone and demand cash or personal information over the phone. It just isn’t going to happen. The best deterrence against these bad actors is awareness and caution. Anyone receiving a call from a person claiming to be with DEA should report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

If you’re called, or know someone who is, contact the FBI immediately. And never, ever, give out personal information over the phone.

Be smart and don’t fall for this or any other scam.