Good Morning

Good Morning... today I am writing for two reasons... First of all, if you are not getting the emails of the blog, check your junk or spam.  Gmail particularly is sending them to junk/spam . I did not kick you off the blog.  I love you all.  Check junk or spam.

Now today I want to say a few words about scams. A friend of mine was scammed last week. The caller pretended to be from the Sheriff's office, threatening to arrest her for missing jury duty. The scammer was very very convincing. My friend was stuck on the phone for two hours, and was in tears.

 

Keep in mind, if any of this is happening on a phone call or email, it is a scam...

IRS phone scams are extremely common, most commonly posing as an IRS agent and demanding bogus tax payments.

Scammers commonly use threats to arrest or revoke the drivers license of the victim as a motive to make the payment.

Scammers commonly tell fraud victims to fill out a form in order to collect on an unclaimed return, and steal the customers personal identifiable information.

To best protect yourself from these common schemes, please be aware of the following information the IRS will never do:  

1. Call to demand immediate payment using debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
2. Threaten to bring in law enforcement to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying
3. Demand that taxes are paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal.
4. Request credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Scammers have apps that help them pretend that they are the IRS or the Sheriff's department so that if you call the real number, it can go to the scammer.

If something seems off, then delay.  There is no hurry.  Talk to your friends.  Talk to your relatives.  Never chase these situations by yourself.  A lady at our church was scammed for $5,000.

And if they ever mention paying with gift cards, hang up.

Do not take calls from numbers that you do not recognize. 

Be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

- - - - - - - - -

I am leading a trip to Ireland October 15-24, 2024.
click here for the brochure

If you have questions, feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com