Knox, Laurel sheriffs warn of phone scams

Two more scams have hit the Tri-County area, according to the Knox and Laurel Sheriff’s Office. This time they involve the Publisher’s Clearing House and the recurring IRS scam.

In Knox County, Sheriff Mike Smith is reporting that an intended victim received a letter from Canada appearing to be from the Publisher’s Clearing House. The letter had stated the recipient had won $2.5 million and came with a check for $7,000 from Radiology Imaging Solutions in Michigan “to cover insurance and attorney fees.”

The intended victim took this information to Sheriff Smith who subsequently began an investigation. Sheriff Smith made contact with the radiology business in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was told that the check had been stolen.

The letter also contained a phone number for the “claim manager,” who the recipient is supposed to call before depositing the check. Sheriff Smith attempted to make contact with the “claim manager” however the number was out of service.

The sheriff’s office says that the scam operates by the recipient contacting the claim manager, who then tells them that the amount of the enclosed check was incorrect and to cash the check and send the overage to the claim manager.

Sheriff Smith asks that anyone receiving any type of suspicious mail or phone calls stating that they’ve won money and/or requests personal financial information to report it to a law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

In Laurel County, the IRS phone scam has circulated back to local residents. The caller is posing as a member of the IRS who is attempting to obtain funds they say are owed by the intended victim. The caller threatens legal action if the money is not received and provides a call back number and badge identification number.

“This scam has been attempted here numerous times before,” said the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. “Citizens need to be alerted that the IRS does not operate like this.”

Sheriff John Root urges that people do not fall prey to attempts to gain money or personal financial information. If citizens receive a call from an unknown number, it is recommended not to answer.

“As always, we recommend that citizens never give out personal identifying information, and never send money, checks, or other means of cash,” said the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s deputies are continuing in this investigation.