Full Notification

Public Information Release
March 18, 2016
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


The Sheriff’s Office has become aware of multiple phone scams that are occurring in Lake County. Lake County residents are receiving fictitious telephone calls from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of the IRS and demanding payment or a warrant will be issued for arrest.

These telephone scams are occurring nationwide and are not isolated to Lake County. Citizens should be suspicious of any caller who identifies themselves as a law enforcement official or government employee and then demands a “fine” be paid immediately over the telephone via credit/debit card or pre-paid cards. The callers may become intimidating and threatening when demanding fines be paid immediately or if the resident questions the money owed or refuses to pay the money.

Law enforcement and government officials do not call people and demand that fines be paid immediately over the telephone. If you receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be from a law enforcement official or government agency, record the telephone number, ask the caller for their name, badge number, agency they are employed, their call back telephone number, and the court or case number they are calling about. Tell the caller you will call their office or agency and hang up. Do not provide the caller with any credit/debit card or pre-paid debit card information to these callers. Also, do not provide any of your personal identity information. If you have additional questions regarding protecting yourself or your family from telephone or email scams you can visit the below websites.

www.IRS.GOV More info on scams, click on “Tax Scams” under
“News/Events.”

www.stopfraud.gov Federal Government Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. This website will point you to what agency you need to report your fraud. They will have a link for tax fraud, insurance fraud, identity theft, and many more. The website also contains information on how to avoid different scams.

www.fraud.org is from the National Consumer League and is a website designated to provide you information on current fraud scams and how to obtain information.

www.FBI.GOV The Federal Bureau of Investigations will investigate common fraud scams, investment related scams, internet scams, and Senior Citizen scams.