Two local law enforcement agencies are warning residents to be aware of scammers posing as Internal Revenue Agency employees. Law enforcement also informed residents of some incidents of mail theft.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff Steve Gladney said his agency has received multiple complaints of scammers calling residents and threatening legal action if they do not pay their tax bill.
IRS agents do not demand payment over the phone, he said.
“They’re basically saying, ‘Pay up now or be arrested,'” Gladney said. “If you get that call, don’t give out bank account or credit card numbers. Call us and report the incident. I’m sure they’re probably targeting several counties if they’re making the calls here in Oktibbeha.”
A similar scam targeted local residents in January. Then, law enforcement agents said they were investigating to see whether scammers were able to spoof phone numbers and make it appear their calls came from legitimate locations.
Starkville Police Department is investigating a rash of mail thefts in the Sherwood Forest area, the department announced in press release Wednesday.
Numerous checks have been stolen, altered and cashed, it states.
Officers ask that residents be mindful of items placed in their mailbox and to contact the department if you notice suspicious activity.
Anyone with information into these cases or others is asked to call SPD at 662-323-4131, the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department at 662-323-2421 or the Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7150.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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