Scammers are targeting this metro-east town, police say

Highland police warned residents Wednesday that scammers were targeting the area by telling people they owe money to the IRS or Ameren.

These scammers have called both individuals and businesses, according to a post on the agency’s Facebook page. They are also reportedly calling both cell phones and landlines, as well as emailing residents.

If someone gets the call and dials the number they’re instructed to call back, the post read, they will reach an automated message that says something like “City of Highland, disconnect service.”

“In any instance, if you receive a call or mail from someone stating they are with a business and you owe money, do not pay them until you have determined that they are that business and you do owe money,” agency officials wrote in the post. “Unfortunately, this requires more than just calling the number back, since they tend to say whatever they believe they need to to get you to pay.”

If a person believes they may actually owe money to the Ameren Illinois they can call 800-755-5000, and if they believe they owe money to the IRS, they can call 800-829-1040.

If someone determines they received a scam call, police are asking them to report the scams. For Ameren scams people can call 800-552-7583 and if it is an IRS scam they can call 800-366-4484 or report it online at www.tigta.gov.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Scammers are targeting this metro-east town, police say."