SNYDER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (EYT) – DuBois-based State Police say a phone scam targeting taxpayers occurred on February 23 in Snyder Township, Jefferson County.
According to police, an aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the county.
Callers have allegedly claimed to be employees of the IRS, but are not.
Police say these con artists can sound convincing when they call – using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers.
The callers may know a lot about their targets and usually alter the caller ID to make it appear the IRS is calling.
Victims are told they owe money to the IRS, and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer.
If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation, or suspension of a business or driver’s license.
According to police, the caller becomes hostile and insulting in many cases.
Victims may also be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.
If the phone isn’t answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” call back request.
Police say it is important to note that the IRS will never:
– call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill
– demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe
– require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, 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 to have you arrested for not paying.
For more information about scams and consumer alerts, visit www.irs.gov.
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