Phone Scams Currently Circulating In Forsyth Area, Warn Police

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA – The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a few of the current scams circulating in the area.

• Residential structures for rent: Be careful of those listings that you call on and the potential landlord provides the key box code for you to look at the property by yourself. Most of these scammers are communicating on out of state numbers and never meet the potential renter/buyer in person. They are requesting down payments via Western Union and gift cards. This is not common practice and once the true homeowner finds out about the scam they are removing the scammed victim from the residence through the court system. Verify you are dealing with the home owner in person and sign the proper documents to rent or purchase the home. The suspect(s) are using voice over IP telephone numbers and false names which makes it impossible to track their true identity and location down.
• IRS phone calls: The IRS is not going to call and threaten you with warrants over the phone for overdue taxes. They will typically send someone to your residence or mail official documents to your house. They will not request you to pay for your overdue taxes through gift cards or wire transfers.
• Family members who are in jail phone calls: Suspect(s) are calling from untraceable telephone numbers advising one of your family members are in custody and need help with bail or attorney fees. They will ask for you to wire them money or provide gift cards as payment. This is not common practice for true professionals in this work area. Make contact with your family members that are supposed to be under arrest and verify this is a scam.

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If for any reason you feel as if you are being scammed, document as much information as you can. (The telephone number the suspect(s) are calling from, email addresses in which you receive information on, names in which they identify themselves as and so on) Contact the Sheriff’s Office if you have any questions or concerns.

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