Consumers warned of Phone Scam

The Attorney General’s Office warns Ohioans to be aware of someone posing as a representative of the US Treasures Office. 

Mike DeWine said his office has received approximately fifty reports of the scam in the last month. In one variation of the scam the consumer receives a call from a phone number with a 323 or 213 area code. The caller claims the consumer owes money for taxes and will be investigated or arrested unless the consumer makes an immediate payment. 

The Attorney General warned the phone number may be spoofed or disguised to conceal the true origin of the call. Most consumers don’t report losing money to the US Treasury Imposter Scam, but consumers who respond may start to receive more unsolicited calls.

On Tuesday, the Attorney General announced he and 38 other states attorneys general were urging the Federal Communications Commission to determine whether phone companies could use call-blocking technology to better protect consumers from unwanted scams.