Wayne PD Warn Residents of Phone Scams

After “experiencing more and more people falling victim to IRS scams,” the Wayne Police Department has issued the following statement alerting residents of several scenarios that are presented to potential victims:

IRS Scams -

These sophisticated and aggressive phone scams target taxpayers, as callers advise the person they call that the IRS has an arrest warrant out for them and they will send someone over to arrest them if they do not pay immediately. They usually ask for payment in “Green Dot” prepaid cards or other types of prepaid credit cards usually available to local discount stores. Once these cards are acquired by the victim and they give the “IRS Agent” the code, they can be cashed anywhere in the world. The United States Internal Revenue Service DOES NOT solicit by telephone.

Other characteristics of this scam include:

• Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
• Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security number.
• Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.
• Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls.
• Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
• After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do:

• If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue, if there really is such an issue.
• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.
• You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Imposter Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

(The above paragraphs are taken directly from the Internal Revenue Service’s Official Website)

FBI Pornographic Scam -

This scam is usually initiated on the computer by an “official looking” federal website advising the computer owner that their computer has been flagged by the Federal Government because it contains Child Pornography. This ransomware is actually a virus that can attack your computer or even your smartphone. The caller usually insists on a fee to clear their names from being made public. Sometimes the ransomware will even download child pornographic images, making the victim fear arrest for possessing them. Things that you can do to try and minimize exposure:

• Make sure your operating system, anti-virus and other software is all up-to-date.
• Never click on a link in an unsolicited email, text or other message.
• Never download a “zip file” or any other attachments in an email (unless verified by sender)
• Make sure the settings on your phone, tablet or any other internet connected device are set so that nothing can be downloaded without your permission.
• Internet Anti-Scam Rule: “Don’t call me; I’ll call you” Do not do business with anyone who breaks this rule!!!

Fake Hostage Scam -

In this scam, the caller advises the victim that their relative has been either taken hostage or in involved in a serious accident and are now being held hostage. In this case reach out to your relative and confirm they are fine.

Child in Trouble Scam -

The caller tells the victim that their child or grandchild is in serious trouble and needs money (usually for legal fees) immediately. This “trouble” is usually out of state or in another country. If this occurs call the person they are pretending to be and confirm they are not in trouble.

The Wayne Police Department says residents should “never give out personal information or financial information over the phone or the Internet, no matter how convincing or how persistent the caller is. Always verify who the caller is.”