Beware of IRS Scams

Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams. Scammers use the regular mail, telephone, or email to set up individuals, businesses, payroll and tax professionals. 

The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Recognize the telltale signs of a scam.

Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new variations of tax-related scams. In the latest twist on a scam related to Social Security numbers, scammers claim to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN. It’s yet another attempt by con artists to frighten people into returning ‘robocall’ voicemails.

Scammers may mention overdue taxes in addition to threatening to cancel the person’s SSN. If taxpayers receive a call threatening to suspend their SSN for an unpaid tax bill, they should just hang up.

Make no mistake…it’s a scam.

Taxpayers should not give out sensitive information over the phone unless they are positive they know the caller is legitimate. When in doubt –hang up. Here are some telltale signs of this scam. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, iTunes gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.

• Ask a taxpayer to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury.

• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.

• Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

At present, the IRS does not accept bitcoin directly for paying tax obligations.

Taxpayers who don’t owe taxes and have no reason to think they do should:

• Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

• Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. The taxpayer should write “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.

• Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission. When reporting it, they should add “IRS Phone Scam” in the notes.

Taxpayers who owe tax or think they do should:

• View tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount owed and review their payment options.

• Call the number on the billing notice

• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

ACSO Receives Safe Policing Certification

The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office has received Full Compliance Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency Certification status on EXEC ORDER (SAFE POLICING FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES) standards. This certification serves as a reminder of this agency's commitment to law enforcement and the community it serves.

Agencies are required to maintain Self-Certification compliance on an annual basis. Each year agencies shall maintain annual compliance documentation for all standards developed by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. This documentation is maintained by the agency and available for review by an Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification representative upon request. This compliance documentation permits each agency to prove it is complying with policy on an annual basis.

This certification would not be possible without the fine efforts of the Deputies, Corrections Officers, Detectives, Dispatchers, Administrative Staff and Maintenance Crew that keep this facility running day in and day out. And none of that would be possible without the support of the citizens of Ashland County, for which, We THANK YOU !!

Ashland County Emergency Alert Registration

Are you receiving public safety alerts? In the event of an emergency or tornado warning, an alert will be sent to the phone number(s) you provide and/or your email address. You can choose to receive a text or a voice message. Click the link, fill out the form and submit. It is that easy.

http://entry.inspironlogistics.com/ashland_oh/wens.cfm

Resources for Older Adults

Did you know that Mental Health & Recovery Board of Ashland County has a page of resources for Older Adults? It’s part of the Older Adult Behavioral Health Coalition. Here is a link to it below FYI. Resources included but not limited to: Council on Aging newsletter, Area Agency of Aging Home delivered meals info, Coronavirus Disease 2019 CDC information, link to Council on Aging’s website, Staying Connected (Check in Program for 60 and over), many other resources.

Click the Link: Older Adult Behavioral Health Coalition Resources

Counterfeit Notes in the Ashland Area

The U.S. Secret Service has seen an alarming recent trend in counterfeit notes passed in the U.S.

Motion Picture notes and notes with foreign writing have grown significantly. These notes account for 12 percent of all counterfeit passed in the U.S. last fiscal year; current passing levels indicate that number will unequivocally grow this year.

Motion Picture and Foreign Writing notes have been identified in all current denominations. The foreign writing may be in large, bright colors, or in smaller typeset on the front or back of the note and in various languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Turkish.

Motion Picture Notes and Foreign Writing notes generally do not contain a watermark, optical varying ink, micro printing or fluorescing security strip. Because the words “For Motion Picture Use Only” (or similar phrases) are often clearly written on the Motion Picture notes and because Foreign Writing notes often brightly display the foreign writing (such as Chinese characters), these notes can be easily recognized as fakes with just a quick glance.

If anyone attempt’s to pass one of these counterfeit notes (see samples below), please obtain as much information, as you can do so SAFELY, about the individual(s) and contact the Sheriff’s Office or your local Police Department.

Welcome to Our New Web Home

As you can see, we have made some upgrades. We hope you find the new site enjoyable and easier to navigate. Please bear with as as we still have some adjusting to do and links to fix.

Thanks and have a nice day.