46°
The Yonkers Police Department issued an alert recently after local residents received automated calls claiming the resident could be arrested for tax evasion, officials said in a statement. When the resident called the number back, a person posing as an IRS agent stated that they owed taxes and was able to provide the callers' name and address to verify the claim.
According to police, a second schemer would proceed to come on the phone, posing as a supervisor, warning to keep quiet of the call, stating that talking about it would violate a bogus “Privacy Act.” The fraudsters then demanded payment in the form of gift cards to avoid arrest.
Police officials noted that "there are dozens of scams and confidence tricks that fraudsters use, but the goal is the same: they want to steal your money." In response, the Yonkers Police Department offered a handful of tips for local residents to avoid becoming a victim:
- Never give your personal or bank information to anyone over the telephone, unless you know who you are talking to and the company they work for, and you are engaged in a willing and voluntary transaction;
- Don't give in to pressure to take immediate action;
- Hang up on suspicious phone calls;
- Verify information before taking action; ask family members or trusted friends for help.
"Scammers often work by wire transfer. If you are asked to wire money, it is probably a scam."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Orangetown and receive free news updates.
