Ohio AG warns of tax scams after 600 reported this month
Published 10:07 am Monday, September 21, 2015
COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s attorney general says his office has received more than 600 reports of tax-related scams since the beginning of the month.
Attorney General Mike DeWine says the scam involves phony calls from people claiming to work for the U.S. Treasury Department. The caller tells consumers that they are in trouble with the IRS and must call an out-of-state number for more information.
People who respond to the calls are eventually asked for money and instructed to send hundreds of dollars using prepaid cards or money transfers.
DeWine’s office reports that most people have not sent money, though a few reported losing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
The attorney general’s office says consumers should not respond to the calls, and Ohioans can contact his office for assistance.