Sullivan DA warns of scam

Posted 8/21/12

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell is warning county residents of a telephone scam that is currently targeting people in the county. Farrell said that the caller can be …

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Sullivan DA warns of scam

Posted

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell is warning county residents of a telephone scam that is currently targeting people in the county. Farrell said that the caller can be live or leave a recorded message that falsely threatens a lawsuit from the IRS and then seeks payment and identifying information.

The caller may also falsely claim that an arrest warrant has been issued to scare the victim into giving them information and payment to “resolve” the matter. The IRS does not handle business in this manner. Farrell advises if you receive such a call to hang up and not provide any information to these scam artists.

If you receive an automated message, do not return the call as it is fake. The numbers that have been recently appearing in caller IDs are 206/905-9687 and 206/792-9650. In addition, calls have also been received using a 765 area code. However, Farrell said that these criminals move around a lot and the numbers and area codes they use may change quickly as they try to avoid apprehension.

Farrell said, “If you receive such a call from any area code claiming to be the IRS and claiming that they are suing you or going to arrest you, please do not provide any information to these criminals, and just hang up.” Residents can report phone numbers that are being used and any fraudulent attempts to investigators at the District Attorney’s Office at 845/794-3344.

The IRS says there are five things that scammers do that the IRS will not do, and are signs of a scam:

• Call to demand immediate payment; the IRS will not call about taxes you owe without first mailing you a bill.

• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the chance to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

• Require you to use a certain payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.

• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.

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