Holliston Police Warn Of IRS, Other Phone Scams

HOLLISTON, MA – Holliston police received multiple complaints about messages from scammers claiming to be from the IRS, the department said. The callers threaten warrants, arrests and similar serious action unless the subject pays.

Police say the IRS will never call a person, especially to demand payment, and does not issue warrants or arrest someone. Residents are advised not to call the number back and never provide any personal information or make a purchase requested by the caller.

The best course of action is to hang up, according to police. Residents with caller ID should not answer calls from numbers they do not recognize.

Below are some scams to look out for, according to police:

• IRS call – A call may display a “202” area code to make it appear as if the call is coming direct from Washington, D.C. It’s not – it’s likely from outside the country. The fake IRS will threaten you with an arrest or that a warrant has been issued for you, unless you pay a hefty fine. Typically, they also ask for iTunes gift cards as payments. Now, have you ever heard of any government agency or business accepting iTunes gift cards as payments? It’s bogus.

• Sick/Hurt/Arrested relative – a caller may say, “Grandma? It’s me, I’ve been arrested and need bail money.” The scammers take a wild guess on a resident have a grandchild. Sometimes they even trick you into saying the name of the grandchild, “Is this Scott?” No, “Is it John?”, “Yes! It’s me, John!” Hook, line, sinker. From there, they will attempt to convince you to send “bail money”, with gift cards or credit cards.

• Ransom Calls – you get a call that your loved one is in some trouble. The caller states they will harm or even kill your relative, unless you send them ransom money. And you guessed it, they want some gift cards!

• Computer Scams – These scammers pretend to be from Microsoft. They may try to “sell" you a bogus protection plan. Or they may trick you into providing remote access to your personal computer, from where they can install a virus, flood your computer with spam, and demand a high payment to “unlock” your computer.

• Caller ID scam – this is where the scam call can make a pseudo-caller ID, or “fake”, name and number display on your caller ID. This will make you think a local business is calling you and may appear to be legitimate. Then, they ask you for bogus payments.

• Prize/Vacation/Rewards – these scammers call with lots of excitement in their voices. You’ve been selected as a winner for a Caribbean cruise! Or since you’re a loyal member of the XYZ hotel, you’ve just earned a free stay in the pent suite! Just calls us back at this fake number, and submit a “handling fee” for your prize winnings. BOGUS!

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