5 April 2024
HIAWATHA (KSNT) – The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a scam telling residents they have been awarded a grant.
On Friday, April 5 the sheriff’s office said county residents have been getting calls and emails where they are promised different amounts of “Free Money”. The scammers tell victims they’ve been awarded a grant and provide a fake grant ID number and a phone number to contact.
When victims call the phone number they’re instructed to provide their bank account information. The sheriff’s office says a foreign accent has been reported from the calls.
The sheriff’s office also warned of a circulating scam with scammers identifying themselves as the IRS. The scammers will tell victims they were short on their tax refund and request bank account information. The sheriff’s office reminds residents the IRS will never contact you by phone.
The sheriff’s office said not to trust your caller ID. Scammers can make caller IDs appear as any name or number. They also warned not to give personal information over the phone or the internet.
If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement agency.
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