The Owensboro Police Department has received complaints of phone scams once again targeting our community. We want to inform the public about what we are hearing so that you don’t become their next victim.
Some scammers are claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service. They claim that their target owes taxes and will be arrested if they do not pay. Other callers claim to be with the local Sheriff’s Office and state that they have a warrant for the target’s arrest and they must pay in order to avoid going to jail. In both circumstances, the scammer is asking that the target purchase either iTunes gift cards or Green Dot cards and provide the card number for payment over the phone. Once you purchase these cards and provide the caller with the card number, your money is gone before authorities can help.
A third type of scam is the caller who claims to be with Publisher’s Clearing House. The scammer tells the target that they have won prize money, but in order to claim the prize the target must send money. The scammer typically asks for the money to be wired through Western Union. They may also ask for your personal banking information over the phone.
No matter whom the caller is claiming to be, please DO NOT send money or provide personal information to ANYONE that you do not know. The IRS or Sheriff’s Office will NOT call to threaten anyone over the phone or ask for money. These calls are scams!
If you or a member of your family receives a call like one of these examples, simply hang up. Do not become a victim of a scam.
