The ‘IRS scam’ persists, so don’t be fooled

Action Line: Back by popular demand, we are talking about the Internal Revenue Service. Calls are rampant in our area. They just do not stop. The scammers don’t stop because the scam is working. Consumers still are becoming victims of this scam. I have received several calls at my home as well.

These calls are not coming from the IRS even though that is what the recording says and that is what your caller ID says. I can guarantee you that the caller was not an IRS employee. The IRS is not making these calls. They would never call or ask for any financial information from consumers over the phone.

There are many types of these scams. Sometimes these callers will identify themselves as employees of a utility company. Others will say they are from the IRS. And yet again, we hear various names from so-called collection agencies. They also use email to get to you. We have had reports of threatened deportation, arrests and license revocation. Don’t believe them! They all want your financial information (your money). If you give it to them, you will likely be the next victim of identity theft. You will also be out your money.

Here are some tips to keep you from being the next victim:

▪ Be skeptical if you are asked to take action immediately. Scammers often push you into action before you have time to think about what they are doing.

▪ Hang up! Go online or to your phone book to get the real customer service number of the company they say they are. Call that number and ask if they are making calls to their customers.

▪ Write down the details. Write down the phone number and any other information you have.

▪ DO NOT provide any financial information. DO NOT give them your bank account info.

▪ DO NOT give them your credit card information.

▪ DO NOT purchase a prepaid debit card and give them the card information.

▪ DO NOT let them bully you. Never trust callers who use threats and hostility to push you into doing what they want. Be very wary when a caller claims that they can “arrest” you if you refuse to pay.

IRS and utility companies will not call you. Collection agencies will but they have rules, too. That could be another column on another day!

Report the scam at bbb.org/scamtracker

This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 1:04 PM with the headline "The ‘IRS scam’ persists, so don’t be fooled."