LEE COUNTY, IA. — A phone and e-mail scam is making the rounds in Lee County and Northeast Missouri.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports that several residents have received phone calls from someone claiming to be an IRS officer.
The caller will attempt to collect money by saying the victim owes unpaid taxes. They claim if the taxes are not paid, the victim will be arrested.
Caller ID will show the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office, but the number has been spoofed and actually comes from the 585 area code.
The Sheriff’s Office warns that it is not making these calls and no officer is employed by the IRS.
There is also an e-mail version of the scam that says a debit card has been compromised and the recipient must call a certain phone number.
A similar scam has recently been reported in Marion County, Missouri.
Authorities say you should never provide personal information over the phone or send money to avoid a threat of jail. Also, do not open or reply to e-mails that appear suspicious.