Phone scam calls spiking, police say

The Communications Center at the Ponca City Police Department has received more than a dozen calls Wednesday morning reporting a telephone scam.

Local residents report receiving phone calls or voice mail from a person representing themselves as being from the Internal Revenue Services, saying taxes are due.

The IRS makes notifications by mail — never by telephone — to tax payers.

Police strongly urge residents that receive these calls to hang up immediately. Never give telephone solicitors any personal, bank account or credit card information. Also, if you receive a voice mail from a solicitor, you have no obligation to return the call.