Fort Wayne, IN – The Fort Wayne Police Department is alerting residents after a spike in reports of phone scams costing Hoosiers thousands of dollars. Officials say scammers are using fear and urgency to pressure victims into sending money or revealing personal information.
According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, scammers often claim you’ve won a prize, owe taxes, or face arrest if you don’t pay immediately. These callers may pretend to represent government agencies such as the IRS or Social Security Administration, but legitimate agencies will never call demanding payment or sensitive details.
Police advise that any request for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment apps is a clear red flag. “Real businesses and government offices don’t demand payment this way,” the department emphasized in a community post.
Residents are also reminded that legitimate offers don’t require instant decisions. “Take your time. Don’t get pressured into paying or giving information on the spot,” officials said.
To avoid becoming a victim, residents are urged to:
- Hang up immediately on suspicious calls.
- Never share financial or Social Security information over the phone.
- Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls.
Anyone who receives or falls victim to a scam should report it to the FTC at consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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