The Atlantic Police Department Thursday, issued a reminder to the public about numerous telephone scams being perpetrated against citizens every day. In recent weeks these scams have been escalating to the point that police are receiving several complaints per week.

Two of the most frequent types of calls claim to be from either the I.R.S. or from publishers clearing house. Some of the calls even use automated calling systems in order to sound legitimate.  Neither publishers clearing house, nor the IRS will use a telephone call to contact you with prizes won or taxes owed. Under no circumstances should you give any personal information (such as name and address or date of birth or social security number), financial information, (credit card numbers or bank account numbers) nor should you send cash or money orders to the caller. The only true way to handle the calls is to simply hang up. Any new calls should either not be answered if they show from that number, or if caller ID shows no number and it is the same type of call, simply hang up.

The scammers on the other end are experts at gaining your confidence or compliance by tempting you to win something or by threatening you with arrest. Police say you should simply hang up the phone. Authorities are aware of these scams and individual police reports are unnecessary.

If you have elderly family members that are unaware of these scams, sit down and explain the process with them. The scammers tend to prey especially on the elderly.

(Press Release)