We want to advise all residents to be aware of an increase in reported telephone scams that have taken place in Medford and surrounding communities. Residents have been receiving calls from people posing as IRS agents, telling residents that they owe money to the IRS or that they are going to be audited or even arrested. The resident is directed to transfer money to a Green Dot Money Pak or other similar card and then provide the number on the back of the card to the caller. The suspects then obtain the money, usually amounting to thousands of dollars. Please remember that the IRS does not place these types of calls requesting money in this manner. Also, the IRS will never ask for your Social Security number over the phone. When in doubt, hang up and call the IRS to verify the legitimacy of the call. Please do not fall for this scam. Never commit to send money to anyone based on a phone call. We are trying to prevent you from becoming a victim. We have received several reports of this scam this week. There are probably many that have gone unreported. If you have any questions, please call the Medford Police Department at 781-395-1212.