The number of warning phone fraud cases coming to OCPD is booming
Source: wboc.com Release Time: 22:09:53 2019-01-03
According to OCPD, many of the scams involve a caller who claims to represent the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and demands that the victim immediately pay for "unpaid taxes" or be arrested by local police if the victim doesn't pay. Police said that victims report the callers are convincing, sometimes providing specific details about the victim or using fake IRS identification numbers and title.
OCPD also warn that scammers have at times altered the caller ID to make it seem as if the IRS is in fact calling. The IRS says that its agency does not call to demand payment and will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. The agency has five tips for people to recognize a scam call, which OCPD has listed online. They include: The caller demands immediate payment. The caller does not give the victim the opportunity to question or appeal the amount that is owed. The caller requires the victim to use a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card or gift card. The caller asks for your credit card information over the phone. The caller threatens to contact local police or other law enforcement agency to have the victim arrested for not paying.