Alaskans should be wary of a couple of scams currently being reported.
Michelle Tabler with the Better Business Bureau said the IRS imposters scam that was prevalent earlier this year has resurfaced.
Tabler: “Getting phone calls on it, businesses are getting phone calls, kind of lighting up all the facebook pages, these are IRS imposters calling to get information, they are telling people either: 1) that they owe money and they need to pay right away or the police are going to come and arrest them or revoke their drivers licenses or 2) they’re calling to say that they have a big refund coming and they are asking for bank account numbers to deposit the check.”
She said the IRS will not attempt to collect via the phone and if this happens, Alaskans are allowed to decline and call the IRS directly to verify if there are funds needed.
Another scam detailed by the Anchorage Police Department has reportedly been crafted by cyber criminals in order to lock mobile phones, then showing a “police alert” claiming the phone has been disabled due to illegal activity such as violating copyright laws or illegal downloads.
That scam then demands users pay a fine in order to unlock the device.
If either of these happen to Alaskans, they may contact the Better Business Bureau in Anchorage at 907.562.0704 or your local police department.
