The Internal Revenue Service has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2026, warning taxpayers to stay alert for schemes that could steal personal information, financial data, or tax refunds during the filing season.
A Canton man was booked into the Floyd County Jail on Tuesday on charges of theft by deception and exploitation of the elderly.
According to arrest warrants, 35-year-old Quinton Antonio Wood Sr. contacted a Rome man over the age of 65 on January 26 and told him his bank account had been compromised.
Investigators say Wood instructed the victim to withdraw money for “safekeeping,” then later showed up at the victim’s residence, claiming to be acting in an official capacity, and accepted $9,000 in cash.
The victim was later able to identify Wood in a photo lineup, leading to the warrants and arrest.
The case remains under investigation.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services is warning residents about a phishing scam involving fake text messages that claim to be from state agencies. Officials say the messages may demand payment for tickets or threaten driver’s license suspension, but DDS says these texts are not legitimate and are designed to steal personal information. DDS officials stress they will never contact people by text message asking for payment or sensitive details, and residents should avoid clicking any links and instead verify license status directly at the official site: dds.drives.ga.gov.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is warning residents about a phony traffic citation notice circulating throughout the county that claims recipients failed to pay a toll and must appear in court or pay immediately.
The notice, which appears to be from the “State Court of Fulton County,” includes a QR code demanding payment and threatens arrest warrants, license suspension, and other penalties. Sheriff Schrader says the document is a scam and should not be taken seriously.
In a public statement, Sheriff Schrader said, “If you get one of these, consider yourself among about half the county today!! Everyone must have missed the toll at the same time!!! Don’t scan the QR and send money!”
Authorities are urging residents not to scan the QR code, not to send money, and not to provide personal information. Anyone who receives the notice should discard it and report concerns to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials remind the public that legitimate court notices and traffic citations will not demand immediate payment through random QR codes sent in bulk.
Residents in Walker County are being warned about a phone scam involving callers who falsely claim someone has missed a court date or failed to report for jury duty.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, law enforcement agencies and consumer protection groups are warning residents to be on the lookout for romance scams, which tend to increase during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Scammers often target individuals through social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust before asking for money.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is warning area residents as reports increase of scams involving fake jail bond payments and ankle monitor fees across Chattooga County and surrounding areas.
A recent incident report in Summerville is serving as a reminder of how convincing “product tester” scams can look—and how quickly they can turn into a financial loss if someone deposits a counterfeit check.
Federal authorities are warning the public about a scam involving fraudsters impersonating federal law enforcement and prosecutors. According to the Department of Justice, scammers—possibly operating from outside the United States—are contacting Americans by text message, email, or phone call, falsely claiming the victim is a suspect in a fraud investigation in an attempt to pressure them into handing over money or sensitive information.
Officials say the scam often involves multiple contacts before the criminals begin requesting personal details such as credit card numbers, banking information, or other identifying data. FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said scammers rely on fear and intimidation, and warned that the FBI will pursue those involved.
The DOJ says these scammers may use convincing details—such as real-sounding titles, badge numbers, names, and addresses—and can even spoof phone numbers to make it appear calls are coming from legitimate government agencies. Authorities stress that federal agencies do not call and demand money or personal information over the phone, and anyone receiving these messages should not provide information and should report suspected scams.
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office is warning local residents about a phone scam making the rounds in the area that involves callers impersonating law enforcement or court officials and using intimidation to demand immediate payment.