DeFuniak Springs Police have received complaints of two types of scammers active in the area. One scammer acts as if he/she is an IRS Agent and demands money be paid for taxes owed or they will be arrested. Another scammer states that a lump sum of money has been won, but the taxes need to be paid before the money is received. Yet a 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. The latter scam can easily be counted out by the old adage of if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Would be victims of the IRS scam or similar, should ask for contact information of the person calling. This information should be verified by looking up the number for the IRS or other agency and calling them to ask for that representative. 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.