The flu isn’t the only nasty thing that’s spread across Iowa in recent weeks. Geoff Greenwood, a spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General, says phone scams continue to be a problem. “We’re getting calls, dozens of calls every day from people who are reporting some kind of impersonation or imposter scam,” Greenwood says. Greenwood says they are cold or random calls to people across the state.

“They pick up the phone, the person on the other end of the line says I’m with the I-R-S or I’m with the sheriff’s office or I’m with your energy company, you owe us money and you need to pay us right now or you risk getting arrested before the end of the day,” Greenwood explains. “They are threatening phone calls, they demand action now.” He says one of the keys that the calls are a scam is the caller is urgent that you pay immediately.

They want you to give them a credit card number or a debit card number, or a prepaid money card number, in some cases even wiring them money, and then they say you won’t get arrested. These are all scam calls, they are very effective calls,” Greenwood says. He says the calls may’ve picked up this time of year because they can catch people at home for the holidays. And he says technology has improved to allow the scammers to hide their identities.

“They’re able to mask their numbers through what they call spoofing. So, it may look on your caller I-D as if you really are getting a phone call from the I-R-S or from some number. But it’s really an overseas call, the number is made up and is certainly not their phone number,” according to Greenwood. “It adds to the scam, it makes it more believable, and unfortunately people are falling for it.” Greenwood says the high pressure tactics asking you to pay and the call itself are an indication the caller is running a scam.

“The I-R-S is not going to cold call you and tell you that you owe back taxes or penalties and that you need to pay now. The same goes for your the local sheriff’s office and any other governmental agency,” Greenwood says. “They are going to deal with you through the mail, if necessary certified mail. They are not going to call you at home or on your cellphone.”

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Organizers of the Midlands Humane Society have opened a new facility in Council Bluffs. The Daily Nonpareil reports the 11,591-square-foot building was designed with plenty of natural light. It has rooms designated for animal adoptions, animal control, and the treatment of sick animals. There also is an area that would allow for a future expansion of the building.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man who apparently tried to rob a bank was tackled by a customer and taken to a hospital. The Register reports the man entered a U.S. Bank in east Des Moines about noon Friday. He was armed with what looked like a handgun, though it may have been a BB gun or fake weapon. Police Sergeant Jason Halifax says a bank customer tackled the 48-year-old man and held him in a chokehold until an officer arrived.

MOVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities released on Friday the name of a 27-year-old man who was killed in a rollover crash near Moville in northwest Iowa. The accident that killed Joshua Worrell of Sioux City was reported around 10:50 a.m. Thursday but may have occurred early New Year’s Day.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) —The Volunteers scored on their first four possessions, and Tennessee beat Iowa 45-28 yesterday in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Hawkeyes sophomore quarterback C.J. Beathard finished with a 145 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Jacksonville, Florida.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Organizers of the Midlands Humane Society have opened a new facility in Council Bluffs. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports the 11,591-square-foot building was designed with plenty of natural light. It has rooms designated for animal adoptions, animal control, and the treatment of sick animals. There also is an area that would allow for a future expansion of the building.

A board of directors has been working for eight years to open the facility in Council Bluffs. Board chair Leslie Southard says organizers are “thrilled to be a part of helping tails find happy endings.”