Authorities are warning the community of a phone scam where scammers claim they are with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office to steal money and personal information from residents.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post yesterday that they were notified of the public receiving phone calls claiming they were from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Police.
The scammers would call residents using local numbers and ask them to press 1 to speak to someone, the sheriff’s office said.
After the caller presses 1, the scammer claims their IRS (Internal Revenue Service) payment did not come through properly and asks the caller for their social security number.
The sheriff’s office said law enforcement will never call you for the collection of money, bond or payments over the phone.
They will also never request gift cards, a common scamming practice.
“It is not your local police or sheriff’s office’s role to collect for the IRS,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Don’t be fooled – scammers use local phone numbers while contacting you, hoping you will answer a local number.”
The sheriff’s office reminds residents that scammers will call everyone, young or old, including families of the sheriff’s office.
Residents are encouraged to talk to their elderly family, friends and neighbors and make them aware of various scams.
“Any call asking about gift card payments, the IRS, warrants and bonds almost ALWAYS scams,” the sheriff’s office said.