John C. Fisher, Chief of Police
41 Lowell Street
Carlisle, MA 01741
For Immediate Release
Tuesday August 12, 2014
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-405-2172
Email: [email protected]
Carlisle Police Warn Residents About Aggressive Telephone Scams
The Carlisle Police and the IRS will NEVER Demand Cash, Prepaid Credit Cards, Or Immediate Payment of Taxes with Threats of Arrest
CARLISLE — Police Chief John C. Fisher and Detective Richard Tornquist would like to get out the word to residents that the Carlisle Police Department has been receiving an increasing number of reports about aggressive telephone phone scams. There have been more than 50 phone scam reports so far this year.
“We would like to make residents aware of these scams so they don’t fall victim to them,” Chief Fisher said. “These con artists and scammers are sophisticated, and they have the ability to spoof phone numbers and make calls appear to be from legitimate, government numbers.”
The most current scam is the “IRS Scam”. A resident will receive a call from someone claiming to be an IRS Agent. The caller ID on the phone will indicate that the call is coming from Washington, D.C. The resident is informed that there was a problem with their past taxes and they need to pay fines immediately or face criminal charges. The resident would be instructed to go to a pharmacy or convenience store and purchase pre-paid cards to transfer money to the caller. Be advised that the IRS does not conduct business over the phone and would never have residents get cash cards for payment.
In virtually all cases, once the victim gives away a pre-paid debit card number or makes a wire transfer, the money is gone and lost forever.
“This scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every state in the country. We want to educate taxpayers so they can help protect themselves. Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel, in a recent statement. “If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.”
In another ongoing scam, a resident will get a call from someone telling them that a relative has been arrested or involved in an accident. The caller will demand money be sent for the release of their relative.
Residents are warned not to give callers any personal information over the phone.
If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the Carlisle Police Department at 978-369-1155.
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