By Sgt. Jack Nash
PIO OCSO
OKEECHOBEE — It is tax time. Be prepared.
Sheriff Noel E. Stephen would like to remind you that tax season is a prime time for scammers to attempt to gain access to your accounts and finances, often leaving victims unable to recover their funds.
There have been reports of scammers committing fraud against unsuspecting individuals. The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office wants to help you avoid these situations.
1.) The IRS and other law enforcement agencies will never call and threaten arrest for fines, crimes, or tickets.
2.) No reputable business or organization will ever ask for payment in gift cards, such as eBay gift cards, for their goods or services.
3.) If a company threatens to disconnect your water, gas, or electricity, it is important to be cautious. Do not call back using the number they offer. Instead, hang up and look for a known number for the company on their official website. Many of the numbers offered by these fraudulent companies are bogus and temporarily used by offshore or overseas fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting victims. It is crucial to remember that they can clone any number, so always be careful.
4.) It's important to know your tax agency or company well. A trustworthy tax agency will never make unsolicited phone calls to inform you about supposed issues with your taxes. It will never pressure you to quickly pay over the phone to correct mistakes and receive your funds.
5.) Remember, fraudulent scammers want you to stay on the line and not hang up. When you do hang up, the chances of you finding out they are attempting to scam you rise. Their goal is to scare or intimidate you into believing them right away.
6.) Be cautious clinking on links or answering text messages that claim:
A. We need additional information to release your package or funds.
B. Your account has been locked (normally through text). Please follow the link to rectify the issue.
C. Your caregiver or any authorized person may request personal information to confirm appointments over the phone.
7.) If someone offers you something that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
We receive numerous complaints yearly from people of all ages who have been promised prizes like cars, lottery winnings, or inheritances. Still, these promises always turn out to be false and end up costing tens of thousands of dollars or more.
It's important to report any suspicious phone calls, letters, or text messages you receive. Don't feel ashamed or embarrassed to report these incidents to law enforcement. They deal with these kinds of scams daily, and unfortunately, they won't stop. However, we can remind each other and be proactive in educating one another about these scams.
