Better Business Bureau says it has received dozens of reports from consumers this week who received scam phone calls from persons alleging to be officers with the Internal Revenue Service.
Officials say a majority of the calls centered in the Georgetown-Scott County area, but not exclusively. The calls are automated messages left for consumers on their voice mails or answering machines. The caller gives some official sounding title (“Officer” Smith) with the IRS and states that the call is in regard to a “serious legal matter” and that action will be taken unless the consumer returns the call. The caller leaves a phone number with a “202” area code, which is the area code for Washington D.C., in an effort to add credibility to the scam.
http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html
“These callers can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling,” said Jack Frank, BBB President and CEO. “They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. If you don’t answer, they often leave an urgent callback request. BBB urges consumers to ignore these calls.”
Victims of this scam around the country fell for claims that they owed “back taxes” or “penalties” for late payments, and were tricked into buying pre-paid debit cards (such as Green Dot Moneypak cards) to pay the “fine” to avoid arrest. The money is unrecoverable.
IRS officials warn on their website that they do NOT do business in this manner. They offer these five signs of a scam using the IRS name. The IRS will never:
1. Call you about taxes you owe without first mailing you an official notice.
2. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
3. Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
5. Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement to arrest you for not paying.
The IRS urges anyone with questions about any taxes they may owe to call them at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS also reminds taxpayers that they do not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issues.
Consumers may report scams to BBB at (859) 259-1008 or 1-800-866-6668, or email info@bluegrass.bbb.org
