Last Updated on May 19, 2016 9:50 am
In recent days the number of social media post reporting the increase in scammers locally has been quite noticeable. The most reported scam continues to be from fake IRS agents. In October 2015 the FBI warned residents of the increase in scam activity, which included the caller threatening victims with arrest or not graduating from school.
Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye is reminding all High Country residents that the scams are still going strong. He reminds everyone that “the IRS does not call you and tell you that you owe them money. The IRS does not need your social security number or any bank account information. There are many calls in our area trying to scam people out any information they can.”
Frye says that his department's investigations into these calls find they originate from outside the United States so there is no way to prosecute. They use a computer program to make the phone number appear it comes from the United States.
If you feel you are a victim of a scam call, of any kind, make sure to alert your local Sheriff's Office. Remember to never give out any personal information to the caller.
