Consumer Alert: Tax Scams Are on The Rise
March 20, 2024 – The IRS recently warned that financial scams are on the rise, especially during tax season. Reduce your risk of becoming a target by staying alert and knowing what to watch for. Spotting the most common tax scams. Scammers may contact you via phone, email, text or social media and then impersonate the IRS to make you think there’s a problem with your tax return. Common scam strategies include: Scam alert...
An Old Phone Scam Making the Rounds Again
A phone scam that has been around for several years is making the rounds again in Hopkins County. The heart of the scam is the tried and true “Purchase a gift card, and tell me the numbers” bit. These individuals typically have thick accents and use strangely suspicious ‘American Names’. How it works You may receive a robo call, telling you a story about winning a mayor prize, in my case it was a very famous...
SSPD Scam Alert: Beware Of Callers Threatening Warrants Or Jail If Money, Preloaded Gift Or Debit Cards Are Not Shipped
Police Recover $26,400 Of More Than $60,000 Taken As A Result of Phone Scams Sulphur Springs Police Department investigators warn residents to beware of callers threatening warrants or jail time if money or gift cards aren’t mailed or shipped immediately. Also, don’t send money if notified of a supposed prize award, such as a vehicle or large amount of money. Police emphasize these are scams, designed primarily to take...
Listen to the Phone Scam
Thieves, scams and con artists have been around since the beginning of time. Telephone based fraud really hit it’s stride in the 1980s. Internet based calling, Caller ID spoofing, and the dramatic price drop in acquiring a phone number has allowed thieves ramp up their efforts. “Call Centers” can now exist anywhere in the world, and contact people anywhere virtually free. Some seek personal information, credit cards...
Protect Yourself From Social Security Scams
Here are some facts about the recent outbreak of Social Security Scams Scammers are pretending to be government employees. Scammers will try to scare you and trick you into giving them your personal information and money. They may threaten you or your family and may demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. They may threaten you with a warrant for your arrest. It’s a scam DON’T BE FOOLED! IF YOU...
Sheriff’s Investigator Warns: Beware Of People Asking For Payment By Phone
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford cautions citizens to guard against people asking for financial payment by phone. This is especially true of people claiming to represent law enforcement, particularly sheriff’s office staff. Weatherford released the following scam alert: Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office has become aware that people are representing themselves as Members of Hopkins County...
Top 12 IRS Scams; Local Resident Receives Scam Call Tuesday
They’re at it again… a KSST listener called to say that his elderly neighbor was almost the victim of a scam that involved false information and an individual purported to be an IRS representative. Thanks to the caller, a former member of law enforcement, the neighbor was informed that he was being scammed. The call from one stating they were with the IRS demanded the elderly man get a money card and pay money owed. The neighbor had...
IRS Warns of Tax Scams During Filing Season
As taxpayers are working to file their taxes, criminals are also hard at work — attempting to steal their money. While there are several versions of tax scams, the classic telephone con continues to thrive, especially during filing season. As a reminder, here’s how the scam works: Scammers call taxpayers telling them they owe taxes and face arrest if they don’t pay. Sometimes, the first call is a recording, asking taxpayers to call...
IRS Phone Scam Rings Again
It’s happening again. A telephone scam in which the caller says he represents the IRS is once again being worked in the area. A Como resident reports two automated phone calls requesting a return call to a specific 800 number to arrange payment to the IRS for money owed. The calls stated that the individual was in severe trouble with the IRS. The resident did not return the call. The IRS has warned consumers to guard against such scam...
Scams Reappear in Hopkins County
Two scams are currently being played in the Hopkins County area as well as other parts of Texas and the nation. One of the scams is out of Jamaica and the other is thought to be in the same area. Chief Criminal Investigator and Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum says Hopkins County law enforcement is working with the FBI and Secret Service to trace the calls but area residents are advised by all departments to simply hang up the phone. One...
