Des Moines, IA- The Iowa State Auditor is warning residents of a potential phone scam where the caller claims to be a representative of the State Auditor’s Office.
According to a news release, a concerned citizen notified the Auditor’s Office on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, that they had received a phone call from a person inquiring about their mortgage. The caller also stated that they knew the person’s name, address, and height.
State Auditor Rob Sand states that “The Auditor of State Office will never call you to inquire about your mortgage or personal finances,” said Sand. “We have alerted the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.”
The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice to identify and avoid phone scams:
- Scammers might pretend to be from a well-known organization or agency like the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or Medicare. These agencies will never call you to request financial information.
- Scammers often claim you’ve won a prize. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Scammers may pressure you to act immediately or pay in a specific way.
- Never give your personal or financial information to a random caller.
- Talk to someone you trust before acting on a caller’s request for money or information.
