GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about multiple scams going on throughout the community.
Deputies are telling residents to be on the lookout for: lottery and sweepstakes scams, grandparent scams, identity theft scams, and IRS phone scams.
LOTTERY AND SWEEPSTAKES SCAM:
Deputies say the suspect tells the victim they have won millions from a sweepstakes or lottery along with other items such as a house or new car.
The suspect will tell the victim that before they can be presented with a check, they must send a certain amount to cover "fees and taxes."
Deputies state suspects try to push victims to make a quick decision by telling them the media can not come to their house to present the winnings until the "fees" are paid.
GRANDPARENT SCAM:
For this scam, deputies say elderly people will receive a call from the suspect saying they are their grandson or granddaughter, which makes the victim say a grandchild's name.
The suspect will then say that's who they are and state they need money to be released from jail.
Deputies say the suspects pressure the victims to act quickly, so they don't tell other members of their family.
IDENTITY THEFT:
Deputies say victims receive a call from a suspect claiming to be from Social Security and that their Social Security number has been accessed.
Suspects will tell the victims their credit has been compromised and that they need to verify their personal information (including birth-date, bank account numbers and their Social Security number), so they can issue a "new" Social Security number.
Deputies state Social Security will never contact you by phone to notify you of any issues.
IRS PHONE SCAM:
Deputies say suspects pretend to be from the IRS, tell victims they owe back taxes, and to keep from being arrested, they must go to a local Walmart or other store to wire transfer money or buy a gift card to pay fees.
Deputies state the IRS would never contact you by phone to ask you to pay back taxes this way.
For all these scams, deputies urge residents to hang up and report it to your local law enforcement right away.
