Scammers posing as representatives of the Internal Revenue Service are again targeting Oktibbeha County residents, and Sheriff Steve Gladney warns against giving away any sensitive information — including bank account and social security numbers — over the phone.
Gladney said the sheriff’s department received about 10 reports this week of phone calls in which scammers, posing as IRS and other governmental officials, demand money for late payments or fines.
This is the third such warning about phone scams issued by Oktibbeha County law enforcement this year. Besides posing as IRS agents, Gladney said scammers have posed as members of the sheriff’s department’s citations division, a non-existent department.
“We’re trying to trace these numbers, but some of them are utilizing technology that allows the number to appear to be coming from a legitimate source. Some are also originating in Canada and Jamaica, and I don’t know how we’d ever catch them,” he said.
“The only guaranteed way we can fight this is on the front end, by making sure residents know not to give personal information or send money to anyone,” Gladney added. “Calling and demanding payment over the phone? The IRS and other government agencies don’t work like that. Once they get your money, you’re not likely to get it back.”
Residents who feel like they were targeted by scammers should call OCSD at 662-323-2421, Starkville Police Department at 662-323-4131 or the Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7150.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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