By Wesley Goheen
Pinconning, MI (WNEM) — A Pinconning man says he was duped in a scam that cost him hundreds of dollars and he doesn’t want anyone else to repeat his mistake.
The victim, who does not want to be identified, says he received a voice mail on Friday from a person claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service.
The voice mail claimed that if he didn’t return the call, action would be taken against him. And so he did. And that set off four days of harassment.
“It was an elaborate plan. They have this planned out. They act like IRS agents on the phone. It’s a fear factor, they test how fearful you are,” says the victim.
His caller ID shows calls from what appeared to be 911 and even the Pinconning Police Department as the scammers continued to press.
He caved to the pressure and bought a blue-dot card, loaded 400 dollars on it and wired the money.
Once he did that, the scam artists tried to strike again.
“It was going to be a couple thousand dollars if I didn’t talk to my friend. I talked to her and she said that’s a scam, don’t do it,” says the victim.
Pinconning Police Sergeant Terry Spencer says he’s received several calls about this scam.
“It’s often too late, and the money is already gone,” says Spencer.
But he says the real concern is what’s coming across the caller ID.
Scammers have figured out a way manipulate the phone number that they’re calling from. In this case, they’re saying they’re from the Pinconning Police Department or from 911. You’re best bet is to disregard that call once you pick up and they ask for money, and tell them you’ll call them back,” says Spencer. “The IRS is not going to call you up, and demand money over the phone.”
As far as how these scammers manipulate the caller ID, Pinconning Police do not know. They’re looking into it.
