BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Crawford County Fraud Alert Network (CCFAN), a local collaboration of community organizations and professionals, is alerting residents to a growing scam trend involving fake video calls designed to look legitimate.

The Network has received multiple reports from residents, local organizations, and businesses of unexpected video calls, often made through Google Meet, where callers use email addresses and stolen professional photos to impersonate trusted individuals or organizations.

“This is something that can affect anyone,” said a representative of CCFAN. “These scams aren’t targeting one group: they’re reaching out across our community. That’s why sharing information quickly and looking out for one another is so important.”

What Community Members Are Seeing

Recent reports in Crawford County include:

  • Video calls displaying an email address instead of a phone number
  • Callers using professional-looking photos, often taken from public websites
  • Calls arriving unexpectedly and creating pressure to act immediately
  • Requests for sensitive information, security codes, or money

Scammers rely on familiarity and urgency, but a professional photo or company name does not mean the call is legitimate.

A Message for Everyone in the Community

CCFAN encourages residents to:

  • Not answer unexpected video calls from unknown contacts
  • Pause and question calls that create urgency
  • Never share passwords, one‑time codes, or financial information
  • Hang up and verify by reaching out using a trusted phone number or website

“If you weren’t expecting the call and don’t recognize the contact, it’s okay to not answer,” CCFAN emphasized. “Hanging up is not rude, it’s protective.”

Working Together to Reduce Fraud

The Crawford County Fraud Alert Network exists to share information across the community and help stop scams before more people are affected. Reports from residents and local organizations help identify patterns and turn them into alerts the entire county can learn from.

Community members are encouraged to talk with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors—especially those who may be less familiar with video calling technology.

Stay Informed

Businesses and organizations across Crawford County are encouraged to sign up for fraud alerts through the Crawford County Chamber of Commerce and to report suspicious activity. Sharing information helps organizations better protect the people they serve and strengthens fraud awareness across the community.