IRS Scams Back, Lottery Scams Everywhere

SEBRING - IRS scams are rearing their ugly heads again in Highlands County, according to Nell Hays of the sheriff's crime prevention unit.
There have been several cases reported again of people pretending to be with the Internal Revenue Service.

"They're telling people they have a problem with their tax return," said Hays.
They ask them for personal information such as birth certificates, Social Security numbers, their date of birth, driver's license numbers and bank account numbers.
"I think this person received a letter," Hays said. "Any time a request such as that is received it should be checked out with extreme caution."

Hays recommends not to respond to anything like that.
"If they didn't initiate the call don't give them anything," she said.
In the case of something from the IRS notification would come by certified mail with a return receipt requested.

It's the same thing with the lottery scams.
It could come as a letter, a phone call an e-mail.

Some stranger is saying congratulations you won the lottery $1 million $2 million, and they want to give you money but before they do, you've got to send them a mere pittance by comparison. Sometimes it's a $24.99, $44.99 or $49.99 processing fee. Other times they need to convert the funds to dollars. One scam that came to the attention of Highlands Today was for a $25 billion class action settlement. To be part of it, just send $20.

One lucky Sebring gentleman, if the letters were true, apparently won 15 different lottery contests for more than $28 million in less than two weeks. Of course it was all a scam and he said he didn't send anyone a dime.

"Pretend this is a person standing in front of you at your door," said Hays. "There is no prize van, there are no cameras, no balloons and flowers, like with the Publisher's Clearing House; no fanfare at all. Ninety-nine percent would never fall for this in person."

You wouldn't fall for this bill of goods face to face and hand this stranger your money, hundreds of dollars, in order to receive your prize later, Hays said.
It seems that when these things come by mail people react differently.

"It takes the human element out and it breaks down their natural resistance and thus they become more vulnerable," she said.

"You're not going to win a lottery you didn't enter. You were not chosen by a computer and never send money to get money (they say) you've won."

The holiday season is here and historically with it comes a rise in property crimes, Hays said.
She reminds people to be extra vigilant.

"Don't flash a lot of cash," she said. "Keep your credit cards under control and keep an eye on your surroundings."