Newberry Officials Issue Two Scam Alerts

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning for residents following two scams. According to officials callers are portraying themselves as an employee of the electric company advising customers that they have just a few hours to pay their bill or their electricity will be cut off. The customer is told the only method to pay is via electronic money order or gift card officials say. Officials are warning citizens that o electric company will use this method to collect money Another scam the office is advising residents to be aware of is a IRS related call. The caller states they are from the IRS and makes various threats concerning back taxes owed to the government official say adding that the only method of payment is through electronic money order or gift card. In addition the caller may attempt to obtain personal information such as dates of birth, social security numbers, and bank account information. According to the IRS this is a scam and they never employ these tactics to collect money. Officials say most of these calls are originating outside the USA. Even though the telephone numbers may look legitimate, they are employing computer technology to masque the caller ID officials warn,