DeFuniak Springs Police have received recent complaints of scammers active in the area. One scammer calls and acts as if they are an “IRS Agent,” demanding money for taxes owed or the victim will be arrested. The scammer will then advise the resident to purchase a prepaid credit card and give the information to them. This is a known scam that has been happening all over the panhandle. The IRS would never ask you to purchase a prepaid credit card for payment.
In another type scam, the scammer states that a lump sum of money has been won, but the taxes need to be paid before the money is received. A slight variation of this has been for the scammer to send a fake check to the recipient and ask for money to be wired back as soon as the check received. Both are scams. Once the money is transferred it is usually impossible to get back.
Chief Mark Weeks added “Some of our citizens, many who are elderly, have been contacted by these thieves. Please don’t give them any money or personal information. If in doubt, contact me or one of my Officers to research whether the person is legitimate. We want to protect our citizens from these criminals.”
If you are unsure of a phone call or letter you received, please call the DeFuniak Springs Police at 892-8513 or your local law enforcement agency.