IRS Tax Scam appears to be making resurgence, ISP reports

Friday, May 6, 2016

PUTNAMVILLE -- Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division at the Indiana State Police Post at Putnamville remind area residents of the ongoing IRS (Internal Revenue Service) scam.

The scam appears to be making a resurgence following the conclusion of the 2016 tax period with the Putnamville Post receiving many complaints related to the scam.

In most instances the scam works this way: Scammers claiming to be IRS personnel are calling unsuspecting taxpayers, and some immigrants, claiming the victim(s) owe taxes.

Callers threaten the victim(s) with arrest, deportation or loss of business, or driver's license, if they do not pay using a pre-paid debit card or money wire transfer.

Residents who receive such calls are welcome to advise the caller "this is a scam" and simply hang up.

If the IRS would need to contact you about a tax issue, they would do so through written correspondence, authorities note.

Anyone who thinks they may owe taxes may call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

If you do not owe taxes you may file a report on this scam with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484 or the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov ... add "IRS Telephone Scam" to comments in your complaint.

Indiana State Police reminds residents to never provide personal information such as date of birth or Social Security number over the phone.

Complaints related to the scam should be directed to the entities above provided.

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