State Police Warn of Phone Scam

The New York State Police are warning the public of a phone scam circulating on a Hudson Valley town.

According to Police they have received several reports from residents in Rhinebeck advising of phone calls from persons claiming to be from the IRS or Law Enforcement. Citizens say the callers have been using various scare tactics to deceive the individuals into purchasing gift cards for payments.

Police offered some advise to the public to avoid these types of scams. First they say the IRS will never contact you first by phone but rather through official mail correspondence. Secondly they will never require immediate payment over the phone or ask for a specific payment type. Nor will you every be threatened to be arrested if you do not pay. Police also advise never to give your credit or debit card numbers over the phone and if contacted via voicemail always return the call using an official contact number listed on the IRS website.

If you have been a victim of a scam or think you may have been victimized please report the incident to your local law enforcement or State Police barracks.