Clinton Township Newsletter

1 6 a p r i l 2 0 1 9 w w w . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . c o m C L I N T O N T OW N S H I P M U N I C I PA L N E W S w w w. C l i n t o n T W P N J . c o m S T R E E T S I G N T H E F T The Clinton Township P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t a n d Public Works Department have reported a significant increase in the theft of street signs and stop signs. Missing signs can cause a serious safety issue in that traffic accidents may occur and emergency personnel can be delayed in providing assistance to those in need. Additionally, street signs cost approximately $200 to replace, thereby costing taxpayer dollars. A summons, court appearance and fine are possible penalties f o r p e r s o n s a p p r e h e n d e d stealing signs. Police and Court address: 1370 Route 31 North, Annandale, NJ 08801 Administrative (Non-Police and Court) address: 1225 Route 31 South, Lebanon, NJ 08833 Questions? Call the Township Clerk: 908.735.8800, ext 204. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) urges taxpayers to remain on "High Alert" and has announced additional outreach efforts to prevent them from falling victim to criminals who impersonate Internal Revenue Service and Treasury employees this filing season. "As the tax filing season begins, it is critical that all taxpayers continue to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees," said the Inspector General. "This scam has proven to be the largest of its kind that we have ever seen. The callers are aggressive and relentless," he said. "Once they have your attention, they will say anything to con you out of your hard-earned cash," George added. "We will be very aggressive in pursuing those perpetrating this fraud," the Inspector General said. "In the meantime, we need to do even more to warn taxpayers not to fall for it," he added. Inspector General George noted that the scam has hit taxpayers in every State in the country. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card, money order or a wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with being charged for a criminal violation, a grand jury indictment, immediate arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver's license. Here is what you need to know. The IRS generally first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes and the IRS will not ask for payment using a prepaid debit card, a money order or a wire transfer. The IRS also will not ask for a credit card number over the phone. B E W A R E I R S E M P l O y E E I M P E R S O N A T O R S T H I S T A x S E A S O N n Utilize an automated robocall machine. n Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers. n May know the last four digits of the victim's Social Security Number. n Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling. n Demand immediate payment to avoid being criminally charged or arrested. n Claim that hanging up the telephone will cause the immediate issuance of an arrest warrant for unpaid taxes. n Send bogus IRS emails to support their scam. n Call a second or third time claiming to be the police or Department of Motor Vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim. The callers who commit this fraud often: If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here's what to do: n If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at: 800.829.1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions. n I f y o u d o n o t o w e t a x e s , f i l l o u t t h e " I R S Impersonation scam" form on TIGTA's website, www.tigta.gov, or call TIGTA at: 800.366.4484. n You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at: www.FTC.gov. Add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments in your complaint. TIGTA encourages taxpayers to be alert to phone and email scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never request personal or financial information by email, text or any social media. You should forward scam emails to: phishing@irs.gov. Do not open any attachments or click on any links in those emails. Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes winner) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS. T h e C l i n t o n T o w n s h i p P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t w o u l d l i k e t o w a r n residents about recent scams and offer you tips to avoid falling victim to them. F i r s t , d o n o t p o s t p e r s o n a l information or daily habits on the internet. In addition, do not post personal information or daily habits of family members on the internet. Those who perpetrate scams – such as the recent scam involving phone calls from a "grandson" needing bail money in Canada – access internet social sites in order to learn the names and relationships of various family members. Second, if driveway sealers, tree trimmers, representatives of the water company, or any other contractor shows up at your house unannounced, call the police if you have any concerns regarding their legitimacy. 1) These scammers often work in teams. One of them will distract you while an accomplice sneaks into your home and steals from you. This is why such scammers often communicate via radio. If you have a back and front entrance, keep your doors locked, even when you are home. Some scammers will distract you at the front door, and have their partners sneak in another entrance. 2) If you see any suspicious vehicles on your property or your neighbor's property, feel free to jot down the license plate. There is nothing improper about this and if the vehicle turns out to be legitimate, nothing has been lost. 3) If you are a senior citizen, you will be targeted; especially if you live alone. Many bright, successful people have fallen victim to scams because they were too trusting. Remember, successful scammers are pleasant, friendly and charismatic. They prey on peoples' trust. 4) Never hesitate to call your local police department if a stranger comes onto your property. People who try to scam others rely on you not checking them out. So wait, think and call someone if you feel something is not right. Third, if someone calls and tells you that you have won the sweepstakes, please keep the following in mind 1) You can only win the sweepstakes if you have entered the sweepstakes. 2) Be suspicious of numerous locations represented on any check, letter and/ or envelope. 3) Legitimate sweepstakes will never ask you to pay fees to participate or to receive a prize. You should never have to pay handling charges, service fees, or any other kind of charges up front to win - those are sure signs of sweepstakes scams. Sweepstakes taxes are paid directly to the IRS along with your regular tax return. 4) Sweepstakes scammers will often send you counterfeit checks in large amounts to fool you into thinking that the sweepstakes is legitimate. 5) Do not let the prospect of a great deal cloud your judgment. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never send money to anyone who requests it. T I P S F O R A v O I d I N G S c A M S A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E P O L I C E D E PA R T M E N T :

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