NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The City of North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety is warning community members about a rash of fraud and scams in our area recently.

According to officials, residents and visitors should be aware that there are three types of scams currently being operated in the North Myrtle Beach area:

• Victims advertising items for sale are receiving sums of money larger than what the victim is requesting for those items. This payment money is coming from suspects by fraudulent means (counterfeit checks, money orders, etc.). Suspects then request victims to wire "Western Union" the extra money the victim received to a third party, usually indicating the third party is a transport person. Once the victim cashes the checks or deposits them in their bank account and wires the money to the third party, the victim is then responsible for the fraudulent checks.
•  Victims are contacted about winning a large amount of money and are instructed to wire "Western Union" a small percentage of the winnings to a third party.
• Young adults and teenagers have been contacting people door to door and in business parking lots and asking victims to buy magazine subscriptions. Police say the suspects are asking for personal information and warn residents not to give personal information to strangers.

If you have questions or need to report a fraud or scam, please call the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety at (843) 280-5511.

In the case of an emergency, always call 911 first.