Protect Against Fraud

Many constituents have contacted my office about unsettling phone calls from people claming to be from federal agencies, pressuring them for personal information. Given the rising number of phone scams, I have compiled a list of resources for you to review if you're concerned you may have been targeted:

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information
This site is a great starting point to learn more about scam tactics. It provides a wealth of information on identity theft, imposter scams, charity fraud, health care scams and more.

Can You Spot a Government Imposter?
The Federal Trade Commission lays out how to determine whether a call you've received is a scam or from a real government agency. Tip: If the caller demands that you send money, he or she is almost always an imposter.

Imposter Calls from "U.S. Treasury"
Have you received a call from someone claiming to represent the U.S. Treasury? In one variation of the scam, the consumer receives a call from a phone number with a 323 or 213 (Los Angeles) area code. The caller, “Steve,” claims to be with the U.S. Treasury. He says the consumer owes money for taxes and will be investigated or arrested unless the consumer makes an immediate payment. Check out this release from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to make sure you do not become a victim of these scam calls.

IRS Phone Scams
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to hear from taxpayers who have received unsolicited calls from individuals demanding payment while fraudulently claiming to be from the IRS. Commissioner John Koskinen advises, “Taxpayers should remember their first contact with the IRS will not be a call from out of the blue, but through official correspondence sent through the mail. A big red flag for these scams are angry, threatening calls from people who say they are from the IRS and urging immediate payment. This is not how we operate. People should hang up immediately and contact TIGTA or the IRS.” 
To report one of these calls, please visit www.tigta.gov or call 800-366-4484.