Whiteside County Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi wishes to alert viewers of a telephone scam in the area, in which callers pose as the Internal Revenue Service. “They tell you they are auditing, or have audited, your taxes, and you owe a penalty. This is a high-pressure scam. You are told you will be arrested unless you immediately send in $500 to $1000. The amount varies. If you do not pay, [they claim,] the Sheriff will be at your door to take you to jail.”
“NEVER give any bank information or Social Security numbers over the phone. If you receive a call of this nature, hang up and call your local Police agency or the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office at 815-772-4044.