Tag Archive for: #scam

Sheriff Warns Folks Are Scamming Using His Name

In another brazen scam, unlawfully using the names of local law enforcement officials, a Henderson resident is out $14,000.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said the local scammers used his name and that of Lieutenant Goolsby. The victim in this case was convinced to go to a local Food Lion and send out a money order in the amount of $14,000, under the false impression that it would keep somebody out of jail or out of the reach of law enforcement.

And that’s simply not true and not how it works.

Brame wants residents to know, first of all, that neither he nor any personnel of the sheriff’s office will ever ask anyone via telephone call or text message for sensitive personal information.  In an earlier scam case back in July, Brame told WIZS, “My staff…will knock on your door and ask you to come to our office,” adding that deputies will provide badge numbers, call numbers and other official information identifying them as sheriff’s deputies.

The sheriff urges members of the public to be vigilant to avoid being taken in by scammers.

“Never say the word ‘yes’ to these people,” he said. Never provide personal information like dates of birth and Social Security numbers to people via email or text message.

An investigation is underway in the case, and the Henderson Police Department is conducting it because the crime happened in the City.

IRS

IRS Issues Urgent Warning to Beware IRS/FBI-Themed Ransomware Scam

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today warned people to avoid a new phishing scheme that impersonates the IRS and the FBI as part of a ransomware scam to take computer data hostage.

The scam email uses the emblems of both the IRS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It tries to entice users to select a “here” link to download a fake FBI questionnaire. Instead, the link downloads a certain type of malware called ransomware that prevents users from accessing data stored on their device unless they pay money to the scammers.

“This is a new twist on an old scheme,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “People should stay vigilant against email scams that try to impersonate the IRS and other agencies that try to lure you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. People with a tax issue won’t get their first contact from the IRS with a threatening email or phone call.”

The IRS, state tax agencies and tax industries – working in partnership as the Security Summit – currently are conducting an awareness campaign called Don’t Take the Bait, that includes warning tax professionals about the various types of phishing scams, including ransomware. The IRS highlighted this issue in an Aug. 1 news release IR-2017-125 Don’t Take the Bait, Step 4: Defend against Ransomware.

Victims should not pay a ransom. Paying it further encourages the criminals, and frequently the scammers won’t provide the decryption key even after a ransom is paid.

Victims should immediately report any ransomware attempt or attack to the FBI at the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.IC3.gov. Forward any IRS-themed scams to phishing@irs.gov.

The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. For more information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube videos.

If you are a tax professional and registered e-Services user who disclosed any credential information, contact the e-Services Help Desk to reset your e-Services password. If you disclosed information and taxpayer data was stolen, contact your local stakeholder liaison.

 

IRS YouTube Videos:
Tax Scams:
English  | Spanish  | ASL

Private Collection of Overdue Taxes: English  | Spanish