Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Phone, money scammers target WTAMU students

Phone%2C+money+scammers+target+WTAMU+students

Scamming is no small issue. We have all been warned about the seriousness of giving out personal information to companies or people that we are not familiar with. If not informed, it is very easy to be scammed out of thousands of dollars. Recently, West Texas A&M students have fallen victim to phone scams.

 

Phone scams usually peak during tax filing season as people are preparing tax returns. The scammers try to con money out of those they call. They pose as IRS agents and may attempt to make small talk in an effort to appear genuine. Phone scamming is a crime and has collectively cost victims over 14 million dollars.

 

An email was sent warning WT students about the scams.

 

According to Dan D. García, Vice President for Enrollment Management, “The caller tells the victim they owe taxes to the IRS related to their student financial aid; then demands that the victim pay the money immediately with a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer.”

 

The callers are reported as being aggressive when asking for money. The IRS does not contact people by phone about unpaid taxes, they will first make contact via mail. They will also not request funds in the ways that the scammers are reported to be asking. With this knowledge, it is easy to spot a phone scammer.

 

A few students reported that they were offered money for being a “good student” or a “good citizen,” but in order to receive it, they had to first wire fees to the caller. Scammers have the ability to alter caller ID and make it appear that they are from the IRS. They are known to target vulnerable people, likely those who they believe to be uniformed.

 

The email sent out to WT students also said the IRS will never ask for credit card information over the phone.

 

In a press release addressing these issues, IRS commissioner John Koskinen warns, “These criminals try to scare and shock you into providing personal financial information on the spot. Don’t be taken in and don’t engage these people over the phone.”

 

Although tax season is over, scammers will still be on the prowl. They are constantly changing tactics, so it is important to stay informed and to be conscious when giving out any type of personal information.

 

Dan Garcia suggests calling the IRS directly if you have questions about unpaid taxes. If you have received this or any other type of IRS phone scam, it is important to call and report it at (800) 366-4484.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The PRAIRIE Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *