Logan County Sheriff and Illinois Sheriffs’ Association advise public of two telephone scams active in Logan County

[July 09, 2016]  LINCOLN - According to detective Mark Landers of the Logan County Sheriff’s Department, a large number of Logan County residents are reporting calls they have received for the Internal Revenue Service as well as from the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association. Landers says that both of these types of calls are scams, designed to rob Logan County residents of their hard earned cash.

Called reputed as being from the IRS, are not. The caller threatens the recipient, saying that money is needed immediately to avoid some type of prosecution. The voicemail messages left say the caller must return the call immediately to stop further action, and gives a phone number to call.

“These are scams,” says Landers, “and the residents of this county are warned not to provide these people with any personal or financial information. Should the IRS need to get in touch with you, they will send documents through the US postal service.”

Landers also provided copies of the following information issued by the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association. Again, calls are being reported that the association is soliciting for funds to purchase life-protection gear for local officers. Landers said this is not true, as is also stated in the message below.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is advising all Illinois county residents that there is currently underway a phone campaign fraudulently using the name of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association in their solicitation. The Illinois Sheriffs' Association never solicits by phone but does conduct a direct mail campaign throughout the state of Illinois endorsed by the individual Sheriffs across Illinois.

Telemarketing fraud costs billions of dollars each year. Phone solicitors who want you to "act immediately" or are offering a "too good to be true" opportunity are most likely fraudulent. Remember that if you have any doubts, or are highly pressured - Just Hang Up.

You have the right to ask for the following information:

• The name, address and phone number of the organization for which they are soliciting.
• The name, address and phone number of the telemarketing firm.
• The percentage of every dollar paid to the telemarketing firm.
• Insist on something in writing prior to making a pledge or commitment.

If you cannot get the answers to these questions do not hesitate to hang up the phone. After all, it is your money.

Although, there are some legitimate organizations that use telemarketers for their fundraising efforts the Sheriffs of Illinois, through the Illinois Sheriffs' Association, are adamantly opposed to police groups and associations using telemarketers in their fundraising efforts. Again, the Illinois Sheriffs' Association never solicits by phone. Should you receive a call from someone saying they represent your local sheriff or the Illinois Sheriffs' Association and are asking for donations contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately or gather as much information as you can from the caller and report it to the Illinois Sheriffs' Association at [e-mail]

REMEMBER THESE TELEMARKETING TIPS:

• Offers too good to be true usually are. Ask to receive the “unbelievable deal” or the “amazing prize offer” in writing so you can read it carefully before making a commitment.
   
• Never give out your personal information over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Legitimate business callers will never ask you for this information over the phone.
   
• If a caller asks you to pay for an offer in advance or asks for your credit card number or Social Security number, tell the person you don’t give out personal information over the telephone.
   
• Remember that legitimate telemarketers won’t be turned off if you use these techniques. They will appreciate dealing with an educated consumer. It’s not rude – it’s shrewd

For more on this and other types of telephonic and computer scams, please feel free to visit the Illinois Attorney General's website at http://www.illinois attorneygeneral.gov -  http://www.illinoisattorney general.gov/index.htm 

[Logan County Sheriff Detective Mark Landers and Illinois Sheriffs' Association]