The Ithaca Police Department (IPD) recently uncovered a phone scam where individuals impersonate law enforcement officers and claim residents owe money to the federal government.
The scam goes like this: First, a Tompkins County resident would receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the U.S. Inspector General’s Office who claims the person owes money. If the call raises questions, a different scammer will call back and say they are an IPD officer, even given the name of a real IPD officer, according to Ithaca Voice. To make matters more confusing, the call displays as being from the actual IPD phone number.
IPD has reminded residents that law enforcement would never call and demand money, and anyone receiving such a call should be skeptical.
To learn more about scams or fraud, head to the FBI’s website.
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