‘Scam!’ Warns Humboldt’s Sheriff’s Office

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

HCSOThe Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has received at least fifteen phone calls per day from the public within the last week who are reporting a phone scam. The suspects are telling the potential victims they are an agent with the Internal Revenue Service or the US Treasury and they owe the IRS money. The suspects then tell the victim if they fail to immediately pay they will obtain a warrant for the victims arrest. The suspects attempt to get the victim to obtain a money order, cashier’s check or red dot card to pay the overdue bill.
So far none of the potential victims have complied with the suspects demand.

Below are some helpful websites:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam
https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-phone-scams

Notes from I.R.S . Press Release:
Other characteristics of this scam include:
• Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
• Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
• Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.
• Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls.
• Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
• After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do:
• If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue.
• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.
• If you’ve been targeted by this scam, you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint.

Notes from the Federal Trade Commission
Signs of a Scam
Often, scammers who operate by phone don’t want to give you time to think about their pitch; they just want you to say “yes.” But some are so cunning that, even if you ask for more information, they seem happy to comply. They may direct you to a website or otherwise send information featuring “satisfied customers.” These customers, known as shills, are likely as fake as their praise for the company.
Here are a few red flags to help you spot telemarketing scams. If you hear a line that sounds like this, say “no, thank you,” hang up, and file a complaint with the FTC:
• You’ve been specially selected (for this offer).
• You’ll get a free bonus if you buy our product.
• You’ve won one of five valuable prizes.
• You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery.
• This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere else.
• You have to make up your mind right away.
• You trust me, right?
• You don’t need to check our company with anyone.
• We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

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23 Comments
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Bob Harris
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Bob Harris
8 years ago

I received the IRS phone call, as well but it was easy to hang up. I know the IRS doesn’t make calls with threats. I would hope everyone knows by now.

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago

Image we had a Sheriff Dept that called to say the debt is made up and we’ll protect private property from any claims, even the state.

That would be a true Constitutional Sheriff….

Can The Triangle do better?

Redear
Guest
Redear
8 years ago

What?

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago
Reply to  Redear

Red ear, this article explains legal & illegal taxes, in mostly layman’s terms.
http://krisannehall.com/the-taxation-that-our-founders-hated/

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago

Wow, Barry, you’re right.
But the Sheriff needs the masses to back him/her. See the catch 22? It’s our responsibility to assure our rights as much as it is the Sheriff’s responsibility to assure our rights are secured.

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Shak

But they protect pension plans over People.

See the issue?

Sheriff might as well drive a 86 Toyota truck with four wheel drive that has a star, and tapout sticker over the 707 tree.

How do Americans live life with armed communists running around like they own the place?

George Washington never existed, it’s a lie.

¤¤~
Guest
¤¤~
8 years ago

Wow give me a hit of whatever you took!

Urban Farmer
Guest
Urban Farmer
8 years ago
Reply to  ¤¤~

Be careful what you wish for, you’ll never be the same again! O_o

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  ¤¤~

You want a lesson in Masonic Studies?

OK

George Washington never existed.

When the Gulf of Mexico was created society changed and run by several groups.

When contact is made you will be asked to do things….

Let’s start there.

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago

That’s true, they certainly do prefer to follow the money, just like anybody does I suppose. They need a paycheck too. It won’t be until the robbed taxpayers realize they can stop whining about being robbed and start nullifying the robbers that any real change can occur. Once that happens, once people discover & utilize their voice, the sheriff will be set free along with the rest of us. The tenth amendment center is a good place to start.

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Shak

Not with a North Korean running the show!

So many of NCals sheriffs have sworn an oath to uphold North Korea’s constitution.

It makes it hard for Americans to live and be happy with so many North Korean citizens running around.

Never in my life would I look to the future and see Red Dawn going on everywhere you look.

Everyone should reread 1984 and marvel at the world we live in.

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago

You really lost me with this George Washington, N.Korea stuff, Barry.
Looks like I better get to researching. There aren’t that many sources I trust anymore, so hopefully the ones I do trust will fill me in.

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago
Reply to  Shak

Barry, what little I’ve searched, turned up evidence in favor he existed.
A few of the reasons some claim he didn’t, was due to lack of photo & exaggerations of where he stayed. Easily debunked, because there were no cameras then, and businesses still use the “Elvis slept here” business ploy.
I probably won’t research further, unless something perks my interest. But it was fun looking for something new & out of the blue.

One of the sources I trust exceedingly, a history buff as well as constitution scholar & ex-lawyer, loves his farewell address.
Farewell address: http://krisannehall.com/understanding-citizenship/

Urban Farmer
Guest
Urban Farmer
8 years ago
Reply to  Shak

Let’s see what his rebuttal will be. Thanks for doing some diggin Shak, I hadn’t the time.

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Shak

He’s in the entry way to every masonic temple with a statue of ISIS.

I wonder if the entire thing is made up because as a kid we were told tales of valley forge, freezing barefoot soldiers…. Now I heard that George loved Christmas so much he had camels and elephants at valley forge.

You can be freezing, starving, and have circus animals? Sounds newspeak to me.

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago
Reply to  Shak

Urban, no problem, I needed a break. :=)
Barry, most of the soldiers, on both sides, died from freezing, were wounded from frostbite, including the horses.
The circus animals gave him inspiration for different modes of travel. End of story, basically.
If there’s one thing I can say about man, he loves his horse & fellow man.

Get busy learning the constitution and vote against tyranny in the courts, in the council’s, and in the ballots. Teach your neighbor’s well. Love will conquer all, and those who love Liberty, respect, their fellow man will win this yet.

Robert
Guest
Robert
8 years ago

These calls originate overseas from India, Pakistan, the Philippines etc. Reporting them can be futile as they are not prosecutable. Never will IRS call you, so simply hang-up. They can be persistent but other than an annoyance, there is not much you can do other than buying a device such as a call blocker. I did and it was the best $40 I spent for all telemarketers.

RdwdGal
Guest
RdwdGal
8 years ago
Reply to  Robert

Many Caller ID phones now come with call blocker installed. I put any suspicious call on it and from that point, the phone will only ring once on the blocked number. These Idiots call once a day at varying times. Just let it ring twice to trigger the caller ID and then you can put that number on blocked. My only fear is that I may end up filling the memory with this garbage.

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Robert

These calls come from robots that became self aware through your Facebook page.

Cylons are real and among us…

( a Hmong us for Hayfork people )

Sasha
Guest
Sasha
8 years ago

Speaking of telemarketers, what’s up with the government “Do Not Call” list?? It doesn’t work at all for me.

Anon Forrest
Guest
Anon Forrest
8 years ago
Reply to  Sasha

I registered on this list, and it took 3 months to activate, but it did work…eventually. af

Barry Wallowberg
Guest
Barry Wallowberg
8 years ago
Reply to  Anon Forrest

You didn’t send your payment, so it doesn’t work.

Money talks…. Freeloaders answer.

Hick
Guest
Hick
8 years ago

Carmen ! I told you never to call here again! …… good bye.