News Details
UPDATE #1: Phone Scams - GCPD 911 Center Receives Fake IRS Scam Call
Update #1, 03/09/2018: It seems as though no one is exempt from receiving a phone scam. On Wednesday, March 7, at around 3:30pm, the GCPD 911 Center received one of those scams. The automated voice came on telling the 911 call-taker that she needed to call the IRS immediately.
Upon calling the number provided, the 911 call-taker was told that she owed over $5,000 in back taxes and other fees. The scammer told the call-taker that she needed to resolve the issue within the next hour or the local sheriff’s office would be coming out to serve an arrest warrant on her.
The 911 call-taker was then transferred to another scammer who confirmed the information and would be authorized to take her payment over the phone. Before payment information was obtained, the scammer was told that they had just contacted the Gwinnett County Police Department. The scammer quickly removed himself from the conversation and the line was disconnected.
According to the IRS.gov website (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts), “the IRS doesn't:
- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Demand payment without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.”
Click here to access the 911 audio (edited), a few reports, and the Phone Scam Warning image.
Original, 02/01/2018: (Lawrenceville, Georgia) Phone scams are not a new trend, but law enforcement agencies are being used as a ploy to get unsuspecting victims to give up large sums of their hard-earned money. Suspects are calling targeted victims claiming to be from the Gwinnett County Police Department or the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. They may even use the name of an active employee to sound more believable.
The caller will tell the victim that there are either active warrants for their arrest or overdue fines. Next, the caller will convince the victim that in order to erase their warrant or fine, the victim must drive to a local grocery or convenience store, load a large sum of money on a money card, and then give the access codes to the caller.
Once the victim figures out that the transaction was a scam, it’s too late. The money is withdrawn.
As stated in the Phone Scam Warning flyer published by Gwinnett County, “Law enforcement and government agencies will not demand payment over the phone by a Green Dot card.”
The Gwinnett County Police Department and the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office need to identify the suspects who perform these types of scams using our reputation and status in the community. If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppersatlanta.org. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Case Numbers: 18-009004, 18-009593, 18-009943
Click here to access a few reports and the Phone Scam Warning image.