Lexington police warn of phone scam affecting several Midlands counties

Lexington police are urging for citizens to be wary of a phone scam with a man claiming he is calling about a federal criminal investigation.

Chief Terrence Green said residents should be on alert regarding phone calls in the Lexington area from a male with an accent who identifies himself as an Internal Revenue Service agent.

Green said the phone calls are appearing from two numbers: (706) 250-8338 and (903) 493-6095. Police said the male caller tells the victim that a federal investigation has been opened on them and it has raised suspicions.

The scam has been occurring throughout Lexington, Orangeburg and Richland counties.

Residents should not give out any personal information over the phone, Green said. These scams are typically aimed toward those who engage in conversations with the caller, giving out personal information or sending money to collect a prize, or to get out of trouble.

Green said residents can take these preventative measures to avoid becoming a victim of the scam:

▪  Register for the National Do Not Call list.

▪  Talk with older family members and others who may be susceptible to scams.

▪  Ask questions, such as “Who are you?” and “Why are you calling?”

▪  Never give out credit card or Social Security numbers or dates of birth.

▪  Don’t confirm or give out any account information over the phone to a suspicious caller.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Lexington police warn of phone scam affecting several Midlands counties."