Sheriff's Office Warns of Phone Scam

The
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office wants community members to be aware of a scam
circulating in our area and learn how to protect themselves from becoming a
victim of fraud and identity theft.

Deputies
have received several reports from citizens that they are receiving random phone
calls from very aggressive callers with strong foreign accent/dialects stating they
are from the IRS. The callers knew the
victim’s names and some other basic information about them making it appear it
may really be the IRS calling. The callers
advised the victim’s they were being investigated and to avoid “further
investigation or arrest” they needed to provide personal information, such as their
social security number.

Deputies
warn that the IRS will not ordinarily contact people by telephone. They will
send several letters and request the tax payer call them to discuss any
specific issues.

In
one instance, the victim told the caller he would place him on hold and call
the IRS number and conduct a conference call. The caller then immediately hung
up.

“If
you receive a phone call from someone purporting to be from the IRS or other
agency demanding personal information or money, ask for their return
number. Even if the person is
aggressive, do not succumb to threats.
Simply hang up. If you are
worried about an issue with the IRS, you can simply call them at the business
number listed in the phone directory or on the web. It is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t
ever give out personal information over the phone to someone you are unsure or wary
of,” said Sheriff Robert Snaza.

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