Editors note: the following was submitted by Brown Co Sheriff John Merchant

We are receiving many concerns of scams that are circulating Brown County and surrounding areas.

I would like to send out this information so the public can be more aware of how to avoid these potentially financially devastating incidents.  We have had many calls from county residents recently stating their caller ID's showed IRS and when they answered, someone with a thick accent was on the other end of the call, stating the resident owed back taxes.  In all cases the residents did not give out any information and hung up.  Any caller ID showing IRS, etc is a scam.

We are starting to hear from residents who have been contacted by phone, from companies wanting to asphalt their driveways.  As I have stated in the past, do not give out personal information such as bank account number, social security numbers, etc. One resident stated that the asphalt company needed this information to verify who they were speaking to----this is a scam.

Several reports have been made about MEDICARE calling and needing to update their information.  The caller is asking for the county resident to provide social security number, MEDICARE/MEDICAID number, and other personal information.  These people will NEVER phone you to obtain this information, this is a scam.

NEVER GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE
Any time you give out your personal  information, it cannot be retrieved. Be very cautious when giving out personal information to anyone.

NEVER TRUST YOUR CALLER ID TO IDENTIFY THE CALLER
Scammers can make any name or number appear on your caller ID.  Always be
100 percent sure of who you are talking to.

IMMEDIATELY HANG UP IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF A CALLERS IDENTITY
Nothing says you have to stay on the line with someone who makes you feel
uncomfortable or someone you do not know, simply hang up.

REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN SCAMMED
Some folks have felt embarrassed to report they have been a victim of a scam.  By reporting, this gives us the ability to warn others and I also pass on information to the state so they are aware of what activity is surfacing.

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS A SCAM
No one is going to give you a lot of money or property for nothing, The longer a scammer can keep you on the line--the better chance they have of taking your hard earned money.  HANG UP on these callers immediately. These scammers are highly trained to obtain information any way they can, polite conversation allows people to let their guard down and give out information they normally wouldn't.  In this day and age, if it is someone you do not know, don't try to be polite, HANG UP.

IF YOU RECEIVE A RECORDED MESSAGE--HANG UP
Too many times recorded messages are being made by scammers.  HANG UP if you receive these messages.  Remember, the longer you stay on the phone, the better chane you have of becoming a scamming victim.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.