A car vs. pole accident with unknown injuries is reported at Lyman Road and Clinton Street Road, Bergen. The pole and some wires are down. Bergen Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: The driver is out of the vehicle and does not appear to be injured, according to a first responder on scene.
Press release:
HEALTHeLINK today announced ACM Medical Laboratory, Inc., has joined Western New York’s clinical information exchange as a data source. Recent laboratory results from ACM’s patient service centers in Albion, Batavia, Cuba and Olean can now be securely accessed via HEALTHeLINK by more than 3,400 participating physicians.
“By being able to view the most current clinical information, such as recent lab results, on the patients they are treating, physicians are able to provide more informed care,” said Dan Porreca, executive director, HEALTHeLINK. “In addition to being able to provide timely and effective treatment, physicians can also avoid duplicating lab tests which may have already been performed on their patients.”
Nearly 100 percent of laboratory results generated in Western New York hospitals and independent laboratory centers are currently available to participating physicians through HEALTHeLINK.
”We are pleased that our providers in the Western New York market can now access our results through HEALTHeLINK,” said Tom DePalma, national sales director, ACM Medical Laboratory. “The technical team at HEALTHeLINK provided excellent support in the development and validation process, essential for us to meet the needs of the healthcare community we serve.”
ACM, an affiliate of Rochester Regional Health System, is a full-service clinical and pathology laboratory providing high-quality diagnostic testing services for physicians, hospitals, employers, and other health care providers and the patients they serve. For more information, visit acmlab.com.
A court appearance for Kyle Johnson, charged with murder in the death of Le Roy resident Norman D. "Don" Ball, has been postponed until January, at the request of his defense attorney.
Johnson was scheduled to appear in Town of Le Roy Court at 2 p.m.
Johnson is accused of entering the residence of Ball at 3:50 a.m., Tuesday, and shooting Ball in the head with a 12-gauge shotgun while Ball slept. Johnson then allegedly walked back to his own house on Selden Road and set it on fire. He allegedly shot at firefighters and a police officer when they arrived on scene at the fire at 4:15 a.m.
There was then a four-hour standoff with local law enforcement before Johnson surrendered.
He is charged with murder in the second degree, arson and reckless endangerment.
For prior coverage, click here.
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) is encouraging local fire departments and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers to apply for federal Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
AFG funds assist fire departments and other first responders in procuring the critical equipment and protective gear necessary to best serve their local communities. The funding can also be utilized to acquire training and additional resources that are necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel.
FEMA will begin accepting applications from eligible departments beginning on Monday, Dec. 7th at 8 a.m. EST. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. EST.
“It is important that our local fire companies have the tools and resources they need to keep their members safe and effectively protect our community,” Congressman Collins said. “FEMA’s grant program helps them do just that, and I encourage departments throughout NY-27 to apply.”
More information on this year’s AFG program can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program. Applicants with further questions or those seeking letters of support from Congressman Collins should call the Geneseo District Office at (585) 519-4002.
Local business City Slickers Bar & Grill, 59 Main St., Batavia, will host a fundraiser this Saturday evening from 8 until closing for Buddy Oderkirk Jr., a 19 year old Batavia resident who was diagnosed this spring with a rare form of cancer known as alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. All tips during the night will be go toward Buddy’s medical costs and treatments.
He has been undergoing an intense regimen of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries since being diagnosed. Even with medical insurance the family has endured thousands of dollars of out of pocket expenses. A positive attitude and generosity of patrons from the community, he will overcome this very aggressive childhood cancer.
This event is sponsored by Hair Studio 242 and there will be music by Digitill Media Arts during the evening.
There is a Staying Strong for Buddy Facebook page and also a Go Fund Me account, too, to help him out. Donations can also be sent at any time Advanced Podiatry Associates: Canzoneri Joseph, DPM, 2 State St., Batavia NY 14020, or call the office at 585-343-8150
Pictured above (from left) is Ken Mistler, owner of City Slickers, along with his guest bartenders Taylor Maurer – hairdresser, April Paille -- owner/ hairdresser of Studio 242, Mark Paille, Chiropractor Tom Mazurkiewicz, and bartender Melissa LeSage (not pictured is Dr. Joe Canzoneri).
Press release:
YWCA of Genesee County has expanded into four areas of Genesee County as part of its ongoing effort to provide free services to domestic violence clients.
Beginning Dec. 1, Domestic Violence Liaison Amanda Bow will be at town halls in Bergen, Byron, Pavilion and Darien on designated days throughout the week. She will be at these satellite sites through June of 2017.
“This prevents people from having to travel farther from their home towns to obtain domestic-violence-related services,” Bow said. “Many of these sites may be within walking distance and be more accessible than our Batavia facility. Services are open to any Genesee County resident, and even if someone does not live here, I can refer them to resources in their own county of residence.”
She can assist victims and survivors of domestic violence with orders of protection, one-on-one counseling, crisis intervention, court accompaniment, safety planning and arrangements for safe housing.
This project was made possible with a grant from the Ursula Forem Domestic Violence Program Employment Fellowship program through the state Office of the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Objectives include an expansion of services to underserved areas in Genesee County, a support group each for adults and for children and to build a regional network of related agencies in Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Services are free and confidential. Appointments are not necessary and walk-ins are welcome. Bow will be available from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at Bergen Town Hall, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at Byron Town Hall, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Pavilion Town Hall and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Darien Town Hall.
To schedule an appointment with Amanda Bow, call (585) 813-3175.
The current Zoning Board of Appeals in Le Roy will conduct a hearing on an application by Frostridge Campground for live music concerts by Dec. 18, Interim Supreme Court Judge Mark Grisanti ruled this morning, and any further interference by the Town of Le Roy board will constitute contempt of court.
Almost as soon as the case was called and the five attorneys from the two opposing camps were standing at their tables, Grisanti expressed dismay that even though Judge Robert C. Noonan ordered such a hearing seven months ago it still hasn't taken place.
Reid Whiting, attorney for the Town of Le Roy, blamed Frostridge and the ZBA for the delay.
"Frostridge has been sitting on its hands for seven months and for some reason the ZBA did not give proper public notice," Whiting said.
David Roach, attorney for Frostridge, clearly couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The delay was certainly the fault of the town board, Roach said, first by firing the original ZBA attorney, throwing the process into confusion, then by rewriting the ZBA's public notice so that it no longer reflected the true nature of the hearing.
"We come here with clean hands," Roach said.
After months of delay, there was an election in November, and Supervisor Steve Barbeau retained his seat. At its first meeting after the election, the town board decided to end its inter-municipal agreement with the Village of Le Roy for a joint ZBA and scheduled a public hearing to disband the ZBA and appoint a new, town-only zoning board.
Grisanti ordered the town not to conduct that meeting as scheduled Dec. 10.
"I know what's going to happen (if they meet)," Grisanti said. "I can see the town putting up some other kind of roadblock."
Grisanti also ordered Jeff Steinbrenner, who is the code enforcement officer, but also ZBA's secretary, to help ensure the notice of the meeting is sent out properly.
In the notice originally drafted by the ZBA, the notice said the hearing would be about whether live music concerts constituted an allowable non-conforming use. Somebody with the town changed the language of the notice to say the hearing was about "permissible use," which after court today, Roach explained, are diametrically opposite issues.
Frostridge has always maintained that under the code as it exists, operating a concert venue is not a permissible use, which is why they are seeking a variance as a prior (meaning similar activity took place before the current zoning law was passed) non-conforming use.
The current ZBA previously determined the concerts were a prior non-conforming use, but Noonan ruled the meeting where that decision took place was conducted without proper public notice, which is why he ordered a new public meeting.
That failure of proper public notice is one reason the current board needs to be disbanded, Whiting argued in court. The board failed to do its job properly.
He argued, also, that the issue isn't whether the concerts are a prior non-conforming use, but whether they are permissible.
Roach countered that Whiting was getting into the merits of the issue, which is a matter for the ZBA to decide and not a subject of the motions being considered by Grisanti.
David and Greg Luetticke-Archbell have owned Frostridge since 2008 and began holding concerts in the campground's natural amphitheater in 2012. The campground has been known by various names since 1957 and was once a popular local skiing location. Prior owners, and before the current zoning law making the area Residential/Agriculture, reportedly had both live music and amplified recorded music.
More than a year ago, neighboring families, the Cleeres and Collins, both related to the original campground owners, filed a lawsuit in parallel with the Town of Le Roy alleging impermissible and uncorrected violations of the zoning laws, both in the composition of the campground and the series of live music concerts hosted there.
After the hearing, Roach said one issue Grisanti didn't get into that he wished had come out was the claim by the town that the town is facing budget constraints and the ZBA is running up costs by hiring outside counsel (James Wujcik represents the ZBA now).
“If you’ve got a budget problem, town, don’t sue my client," Roach said. "You already have the Cleeres suing my client for you. They filed a town law 268 action. They stepped into the shoes of the town to enforce the zoning code. The town, filing its own lawsuit, is merely redundant and it is a monumental waste of taxpayers’ money.”
For prior coverage, click here.
Main Street in Le Roy is being closed to traffic because of a suspicious package on the sidewalk between L.B. Grand and the hardware store.
The package has been there since yesterday.
Fire police were just dispatched to Main and Route 19 to block traffic.
UPDATE 11:43 a.m.: Reporter Ray Coniglio was on scene. It was box of golf pencils. A state police bomb tech happened to be the area and the package was examined and determined to be harmless. The road is being reopened.
UPDATE 12:07 p.m.: Picture added. Also, this from Ray:
Le Roy Det. John Condidorio said passersby told police the box had been on the sidewalk since Thursday.
“Given the current situation of things we took the precautions we needed to,” Condidorio said “I contacted the bomb tech unit (and) luckily he was right in the area at the time. He stopped by, X-rayed the picture — and it turns out to be some pencils.”
“Better safe than sorry.”
A person may have suffered a leg injury in a motor-vehicle accident in the area of 215 Bloomingdale Road, Alabama.
The car reportedly struck a tree.
Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
Press release:
The Salvation Army has extended the application deadline for receiving holiday assistance. Families and individuals who are in need of assistance with food and toys this Christmas are welcome to apply until Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Applicants must bring picture ID, proof of residence in Genesee County, documentation for all the household income and expenses. Families with children should also come with a list of toys for children 12 years old and younger.
Families and individuals in need are encouraged to come in at their earliest convenience to ensure an appointment to pick up their food and toys. Applications are taken Monday-Friday 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:15 p.m.
For more information please contact Major Patty at 585-343-6284 or patricia.kurtz@use,salvationarmy.org
Press release:
Anyone with an artistic calling can enter the contest for a new logo for the Corfu Free Library. The Board of Directors will be accepting entries for a new logo for the library that goes along with the library’s slogan, “Rooted in our past, growing our future.” The contest is open to all ages.
The winner will be voted on by the community after the semi-finalists are chosen by the Board of Directors. The winning design will be unveiled at a future date and the winner awarded a $50 gift card.
“Since the library is on Maple Avenue and our slogan mentions roots, a logo that somehow incorporates a tree in its design is what we have in mind,” says Diana Reding, library director.
“The Corfu Free Library has been a part of the community for nearly a century, and now includes many of the new electronic services like electronic books, audio books, and e-magazines, but we still have books for all ages of readers,” she adds.
Tony Kutter, local resident and a member of the Board of Directors, thinks that the old gas lantern that has flickered for a century by the library would be a nice addition to a design, too.
“We are open to all ideas for our new logo that would illustrate our slogan,” says Kutter. “It will be exciting to see what entries we receive from our talented residents.”
Entries will be accepted until Jan. 10. Residents will then be invited to vote on their favorite. Once the new logo is chosen, there will be a special celebration in late January to unveil the new design, and all residents will be invited to attend.
Entry forms are available at the library, 7 Maple Ave. in Corfu, and on the library’s Web site at www.CorfuFreeLibrary.org. For more details, stop by the Corfu Free Library circulation desk or call (585) 599-3321.
A possible structure fire is reported at 8979 Wilkinson Road, East Pembroke. The house is said to be filled with smoke although no flames are visible. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding, along with an engine from Town of Batavia, as mutual aid.
UPDATE 3:28 p.m.: All available manpower from East Pembroke Fire Department is called to respond to the confirmed, working structure fire. Also called to the scene are Darien, Oakfield and Alexander fire departments. Pembroke is asked to fill in at East Pembroke's fire hall.
UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: Elba Fire Department is asked to fill in at Town of Batavia Fire Station #1.
UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: Fire is out.
Words come easily to those who knew the late Norman D. “Don” Ball.
He was a great and generous friend, they say.
A true family man.
The kind of person who’d give the shirt off his back to a stranger in need.
“Not just his shirt,” said Ron Townsend, 67, a cousin and lifelong friend. “He’d give you his shoes and walk around barefoot.
“The man had a heart as big as the world,” Townsend said. “He’d help anybody.”
The words are easy to find.
What is impossible, Townsend said, is finding any sense in the tragedy that unfolded on Tuesday. Ball, 69, was shot and killed early that morning while he slept at his home on Selden Road in Le Roy.
A neighbor, Kyle Johnson, was charged with murder after an hours-long armed standoff with police.
The suspect, Townsend said, is among the countless number of people indebted to Ball.
It was at least a decade ago, Townsend said, that he was renting a room at Ball’s home, while also working at his construction business.
Johnson, who was married at the time, had trees that needed cutting but no money to pay for the work.
Townsend said Ball called him one winter day, and asked him to help Johnson out.
“Donnie called and asked me to take a chainsaw and cut the trees down,” Townsend said. “We didn’t know what to do with all the wood, so we brought it back and cut it into firewood.
“Shortly after that we had a snowstorm, and Donnie sent me down to plow (Johnson’s) driveway,” Townsend continued. “He didn’t have any money at the time, so his wife made Christmas cookies and we brought them over to Don’s house.”
Townsend said he felt sickened on Tuesday, as he watched television coverage of events on Selden Road.
“I just couldn’t believe it was happening,” Townsend said. “I just don’t get it.”
Tuesday was also difficult for Richard Gross, who got to know Ball when he rented his Selden Road apartment about eight years ago.
“We became real good buddies, doing all kinds of things together,” Gross said.
Gross, 52, rented from Ball for a couple of years and now lives in Wyoming. He said he’d visit Ball whenever he had a chance, most recently about a month ago.
“He was always making jokes, always smiling,” Gross said. “It took a whole lot to upset him.”
Ball was a businessman and an Air Force veteran who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He also owned a mobile home park in the Town of Bergen.
“He was a true family man,” Gross said. “He really loved his family, I can tell you that.”
And his friends.
Gross remembered wanting to buy a Ford diesel truck. He couldn’t afford one at the time.
“Donnie knew I didn’t have the cash right at the moment, but he knew I wanted the truck,” Gross said. “The next thing I know, he goes and buys it for me.
“Is that a friend or what?”
Gross eventually paid Ball for the truck. He’ll never forgot the gesture of kindness.
Which left him feeling at a loss this week.
“I can’t believe somebody would do something like that to Donnie,” Gross said. “The guy did nothing but good for people.
“He didn’t deserve this,” he said. “That’s for damn sure.”
Press release:
“Investing in America’s infrastructure will help grow our economy and improve the day-to-day lives of Western New Yorkers,” Congressman Chris Collins said. “This bipartisan legislation makes tremendous strides in modernizing America’s transportation policy, supports good-paying jobs, and implements vital reforms to jumpstart infrastructure projects in our region.”
Several key provisions of the legislation will benefit Western New York. The bill:
· Provides certainty to states and local governments by funding highway projects for five years;
· Exempts dairy trucks from certain federal trucking weight limits, allowing them to efficiently transport their products;
· Streamlines existing regulatory requirements for transportation projects, increasing efficiency and expediting the process;
· Funds the 5340 High Density States program, which guarantees New York’s mass transit agencies access to the funding they need;
· Reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, protecting more than 3,700 jobs in Western New York and 25 exporting small businesses in New York’s 27th District; and
· Converts the current Surface Transportation Program (STP) to a block grant program, which will provide states and local governments more flexibility in their transportation spending. Fifty percent of the program’s funding is specifically targeted toward local governments and that grows by 5 percent over the five-year span of the bill.
Full text of the legislation can be read here.
Brunch with Santa - Sunday, December 6th • 10am-2pm
The area's best Sunday Brunch made even better with an appearance from this special North Pole guest! Enjoy your brunch favorites, such as a chef-attended omelet station, hand-carved meats, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, and seafood-stuffed cod, while celebrating the holidays with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Bring the entire family for this festive holiday treat!*
$15.95/Adults, $9.95/Children 5-10, 4 & Under Free
Holiday Quick Lunch Buffets -- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Looking for a last minute way to celebrate the holidays with friends, family, or coworkers? Bring them on down to Terry Hills for a fantastic luncheon! Offering soup, salad, sandwiches, potatoes, vegetables, 2-3 hot entrees, seafood-stuffed cod & dessert -- plus coffee, soda, & tea all for only $10.95/person! *Reservations Required for all holiday events. Call 585-343-0642.
Holiday Gift Card Sale - Purchase a $50 Restaurant or Golf Course Gift Card, and get a FREE $10 Restaurant Gift Card (limit 5 per person). Gift cards can be purchased online or in-house at: Terry Hills, 5122 Clinton Street Road (Route 33), Batavia.
Wendy S. Pritchard, 39, of MacArthur Drive, Batavia, is charged with false reporting an incident and providing a false written statement. Pritchard is accused of falsely reporting that a check written to her landlord was stolen and cashed without her permission.
Ajia R. Hasenauer, 22, of Myrtle Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Hasenauer was arrested by Le Roy police after a check by a probation officer of her residence allegedly uncovered a quantity of pregabalin, a controlled substance.
Brenda L. Babcock, 31, of West Ave, Brockport, was arrested on a warrant by Le Roy PD. Babcock was wanted in connection with a 2008 charge of issuing a bad check.
Michael J. Elmore, 24, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Elmore was arrested following an investigation into a trespassing complaint at 6:06 a.m. Monday at an address on Summit Street, Batavia.
Ela Arana, 37, of Chapin Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Arana was allegedly observed by Batavia Downs video surveillance staff stealing a phone. Also charged with petit larceny, Luz E. Ramos, 54, of Chapin Street, Rochester.
Jae-Quele M. Tomlin, 21, of East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass and harassment, 2nd. Tomlin was arrested following a complaint of a disturbance at Billy Goats, 345 W. Main St., Batavia, at 11 p.m. Friday. Also arrested, Amber D. Blackshear, 21, of East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, who was charged with assault, 3rd. Blackshear allegedly hit and injured a bouncer. Also arrested, Winston Ashton Lockhart, 20, no permanent address, who was charged with second-degree harassment and trespass.
Barbara Lynn Burns, 51, of Westwind Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI and refusal to take breath test. Burns was arrested by Deputy James Diehl following a report of a property damage accident at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.
Larson Zane Sundown, 18, of Meadville Road, Basom, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, moving from lane unsafely, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to stop for a red light on a right turn and driving left of pavement markings. Sundown as stopped by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello on Lewiston Road, Batavia, at 11:53 p.m. Nov. 25.
Most notably, perhaps, Glenn R. Morton was a Genesee County Judge, but in matters of public service, he was so much more than that.
Morton was a former county legislator, a former Genesee Community College trustee and a member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors, as well as a former supervisor in the Town of Batavia. He was also active in the Lions Club and on the board of the YMCA.
The 81-year-old Morton passed away Tuesday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Dec. 8, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Co. is handling arrangements.
For Morton's full obituary, click here.
Pictured above is Batavia chiropractor Dr. Tom Mazurkiewicz and his secretary Brittany Moretti, who are continuing the legacy of Don Carroll.
Mazurkiewicz along with Beth and Brian Kemp from T-Shirts Etc. have joined together to host the annual Toy Drive for Kids at his office, Mazurkiewicz Family Chiropractic 184 Washington Ave., Batavia, this Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Tom has been involved for more than 25 years helping Don, who asked him to carry the tradition for him and keep it going in his memory. Mazurkiewicz said that anytime between now (during office hours) until the close of Monday, donors are welcome to bring in an unwrapped toys for ages 2 to 15.
If you come to the event this Saturday, he will offer a free chiropractic adjustment at no charge.
Local nurses from Batavia and Oakfield school districts have provided names of 52 children who will receive the gifts at a private party that is hosted by the Kemps.
For questions, call (585) 343-9316.
Press release:
The year 2016 marks the 177th anniversary of the Genesee County Fair!
The Genesee County Agricultural Society is pleased to announce that the 2016 Genesee County Fair will be held on July 12th – 16th. Please note that the Fair dates have changed by one week to allow the Agricultural Society to secure a top of the line midway and entertainment. This date change will enable the Fair to continue to grow into the future.
Preparations have already begun in the planning of the 177th Genesee County Fair. The Agricultural Society welcomes the return of Midway Rides of Utica as the midway ride provider for 2016. This year, once again, admission to the Fair is only $5 per carload. Several of the popular Grandstand events will be returning this year, including the Demolition Derby, ESP Tractor Pulls & Stock Car Racing. Other returning events include the Genesee County Fair Talent Show, The Grand Parade, a classic/antique auto & farm equipment show, small fry tractor pull, 4-H livestock auction, 4-H animal exhibits and the Fair Queen Pageant.
For a complete listing of events during fair week, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.gcfair.com" gcfair.com
These are just some of the events happening during the 177th fair. With your help, the Agricultural Society hopes to make 2016 a memorable year for the fair by adding new and exciting events. The board of directors would like to extend a personal invitation to become a volunteer, exhibitor or a sponsor of the fair. Volunteers are needed not only during fair week, but also the weeks before and the week after the fair. Many hands make light work!
Becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor of the fair is a great way to promote your business to thousands of fairgoers that live and work in Genesee County and visit the fair every year. If you are interested in volunteering, exhibiting or becoming a sponsor of the fair, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.gcfair.com" gcfair.com to download all of the forms and for contact information.
The Agricultural Society would like to make the 177th fair special. In order for this to happen, your help is needed! The Genesee County Agricultural Society would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the Genesee County Fair over the years!
Press release:
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is always receiving reports of scams that are attempted via the phone, mail or online. Scams can range from “you won the lottery” (that you didn’t even enter) to a call from someone claiming to be a relative who is in trouble with the law and needs bail (a favorite for elderly grandparents).
The common denominator for all of these scams is an eventual attempt to get the victim to send/wire money to the caller. If it’s an ID theft scam, the goal is to obtain personal information from you such as your date of birth, address, Social Security number, etc. Another commonality is the pressure to act now or loose the opportunity. This pressure can come in the form of a threat.
Today alone, we received no less than five reports of an IRS scam that is being perpetrated via phone. In this scam, the caller identifies him or herself as an IRS agent, tells the victim they owe the IRS a sum of unpaid taxes and threatens to have him/her arrested immediately if cash is not withdrawn from the bank and wired to an address the caller gives. The caller doesn’t allow any time for the victim to check the validity of the call and actually continues to verbally threaten the victim.
Today, a potential victim came to the Sheriff’s Office to report such a scam attempt. The victim had been convinced that the caller was with the IRS and that she was going to be arrested if she didn’t immediately comply. She went to her bank, withdrew over $5,000 and drove to a local retail store (as directed) where she was to wire out the money. Fortunately, she called a family member at the last minute, despite the threats not to delay, and was diverted to the Sheriff’s Office before the money was gone forever.
The IRS never attempts to collect legitimate debt over the phone or Internet. They never attempt to persuade you not to confirm the legitimacy of such a contact. While there may be a deadline involved, it is never so short as not to afford you time to check out the authenticity of the notification with the IRS using publicly listed contact numbers.
If you have doubt, if you are confused, if you feel threatened, call a trusted family member and/or the Sheriff’s Office. IRS scam attempts can be reported directly to the Treasury Inspector General for Taxation Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or via their Web site: www.tigta.gov
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