Consumer Rights · Scam Alert · October 7, 2026, 9:10 PM CDT
Key Facts
- WFMJ issued a new alert: Bristol library warns patrons of new phone scam tactics
- BRISTOLVILLE – Scammers have created a new way to solicit money and personal information from citizens: Library card renewal calls in Trumbull County.
- How it reaches victims: Phone call.
- Tactics the source describes: Asks for money; impersonates a trusted organization.
Bristol library warns patrons of new phone scam tactics.
Scammers have created a new way to solicit money and personal information from citizens: Library card renewal calls in Trumbull County.
D’Lynn Johnson, manager of the Bristol Public Library, released a statement regarding the new phishing tactic, urging patrons of the library to never give personal information or payment over the phone.
The scam runs by a caller claiming to be an employee of the Bristol Public Library or a different library requesting payment or personal information to renew a library card due to expiration or suspension.[1]
What the Scam Looks Like
In the call pattern reported by WFMJ, someone claims to work for Bristol Public Library or another library, says a card has expired or been suspended, and asks for payment or personal information to renew it. The source did not publish a recording or the caller’s exact words. This visual shows only the reported claims and request.
- 1
Identity claimClaims to be an employee of Bristol Public Library or another library.
- 2
Account claimSays the library card is expired or suspended.
- 3
Requested actionAsks for payment or personal information to renew the card.
How to Protect Yourself
- Do not send money because of an unexpected call, text, or email. Hang up and contact the agency or person yourself using a number you look up independently.
- Contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you look up yourself, not one provided in the message.
- Bristol Public Library says it does not call to renew cards. If someone makes that claim, hang up and use the library’s published contact details to check your account. Do not give the caller payment information, a card number, or a PIN.
How to Verify This Yourself
Read WFMJ’s report of the library warning. For independent contact information, use Bristol Public Library’s own website, which lists (330) 889-3651. Do not call a number supplied during an unexpected call.
References
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Investigative methodology: this update was produced by scripts/scam_monitor.py from a real WFMJ alert — not a language model. The quoted text above is verbatim from the source; any message or description shown in the illustration is quoted or copied from the source itself (see its caption); when the source does not publish the scam’s wording, none is shown or invented. Protection tips are matched from a fixed keyword list, not generated per story.
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