IRS Scam Targets Taxpayers, Worries Police
DENVER (CBS4)- A new IRS scam has taxpayers worried because bogus callers threaten to have them arrested. One of those fake IRS agents talked to CBS4.
The bogus calls seem to be coming from both coasts, Washington D.C. and San Francisco area codes.
Some believe IRS forms can be intimidating which may be why five months after tax day, calls from someone claiming to be with the IRS trying to collect back taxes might seem legitimate at first.
The bogus calls include demands for money or even meetups to pay back taxes.
The Monument Police Department issued a warning about the fake phone calls. They want people to beware of the scam and remind them never to give out personal information over the phone. The threats of being arrested for not paying back taxes are false.
CBS4's Suzanne McCarroll called back one of the fake IRS agents to see what they had to say.
Once she identified herself the agent hung up.
Police say the IRS would never the things the scammers are doing which include:
- Call about taxes owed without first mailing an official notice.
- Demand payment of taxes without giving the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Require use of a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups for arrest of nonpayment.
