FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Fort Wayne Police Department is warning residents about a scam going around the area.
Police say residents are receiving threatening phone calls.
The call says, “you will be brought before a Federal Magistrate or jury for a Federal offense, if you do not call 347-XXX-XXXX. The penalty for failing to do so is you will be arrested and/or put in jail,” according to a FWPD Facebook post.
Sometimes the phone call indicates it is the “final warning, due to dealing with the US Treasury.” Other times, no explanation is given and people are advised that it’s the “second and final notice.”
The caller will sometimes ask for money to be paid with a gift card. The government doesn’t accept gift cards as payment for fees, fines or any other program. The caller also doesn’t address the residents by name.
If you receive a call like this, do not call them back or send any money. It is a scam and not a legitimate call from the government.
3 comments
Good information! This effects the senior community too. It would be GREAT if you’d report about another scam hitting senior apartments. Individual is getting into (being let in using a scam story) senior apartment buildings. They’re knocking on peoples doors giving a fake sob story about not being able to contact a grandparent and needing to use a phone. Our senior citizens are a vulnerable population. WOWO, please look into this and report about it.
Need information about organization calling themselves United Nation grant money phone number 313-349-3378. I need to know if this is a scam. My name is Army Burks
It’s a scam, according to the United Nations itself. http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-website/fraud-alert/index.html