Several Active SCAMS – Don’t Be Duped
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of several active scams in our area. The most active appear to be the Social Security Scam, IRS Scam, and the “You have a warrant and must pay immediately” scam. Don’t fall for these lies, do NOT provide personal information, banking information, or pay any “fee” under the fear of a threatening predatory scammer.
If the person contacting you is unsolicited, never provide any of this type of information over the phone, email, or social media account. Do some research, find the contact number for the agency or business yourself, and contact them.
Law Enforcement, Courts, any other government agency, or legitimate business will never call you and demand prepaid credit cards for payment, threaten to arrest or shut off your services if you don’t. However, scammers will! Don’t be fooled.
All of these scams are generally the same story. You or someone you care about did something wrong. IF you pay immediately (usually prepaid credit cards, Apple or other gift cards, or any other financial transaction card), you will stay out of jail, not have your social security benefits denied, or your utilities turned off.
Nothing needs to happen immediately! Check the story out on your own before you LOSE your money.
For more information regarding Common Scams and Frauds or to report incidents, please go to the usa.gov website. https://www.usa.gov/common-scams-frauds
Report Telephone Scams
It's important to report phone scams to federal agencies. They can’t investigate individual cases. But your report can help them collect evidence for lawsuits against scammers.
Report Banking Scams
The proper organization to report a banking scam depends on which type you were a victim of.
From the IRS Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts webpage (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts), “Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams. Scammers use the regular mail, telephone, or email to set up individuals, businesses, payroll, and tax professionals.
The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Recognize the telltale signs of a scam. See also: How to know it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on your door.”