IRS telephone scammers still going strong
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday it has received numerous reports of citizens receiving phone calls that are believed to be from the IRS. The recorded message says that the person receiving the call owes money to the IRS and threatens you with a lawsuit if you don’t pay the required amount of money immediately.
“THIS IS A SCAM,” Undersheriff John Gautney warned in a news release.
” Do not provide any bank or credit card information or call the number back. The IRS will not call you with this type of message. If the IRS is trying to contact you, you will receive a notice in the mail. If in question, contact your local IRS office and inquire.
Gautney went on to say, “If you receive one of these calls and you wish to file a complaint, the FBI has a website for this type of complaint at; www.IC3.gov. You can click on the ‘complaint’ button and follow the directions.
“These type of scam calls most often are from outside of the country and use fear to prey on innocent people to pay their hard earned money to support whatever cause the scammers are supporting. Many times senior citizens fall victim to this tactic.
“If you or someone you know have fallen victim to this scam, PLEASE do not have further contact with the scammers and report it to the website,” Gautney added.
If you have further questions, contact the Crook County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency.
Here’s the IRS Web page with information on this and various related scam calls and how to avoid being ripped off: https://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Urges-Public-to-Stay-Alert-for-Scam-Phone-Calls
IRS Northwest spokesman David Tucker said these kinds of scams go on all year round, threatening arrests or other punishment for not sending money.
“We’re trying to make the public very aware,” and advising not to interact with the callers whatsoever, Tucker said.
You can also notify the Oregon attorney general’s Consumer Hotline at http://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer/Pages/hotline.aspx , which also has a link to an online consumer complaint form..
