Provided by the Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection:
Q. I came home from work yesterday and checked the messages on my phone. One of the calls was from the IRS informing me that I owe money. They went on to imply that if I did not pay immediately, that they would be sending the police to arrest me. I know I do not owe the IRS any money but this phone call frightened me. What should I do? – S.A. Doylestown
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A. The Bucks County Consumer Protection office has be inundated by telephone calls from residents that have been receiving this type of fraudulent phone call. After contacting the IRS, our investigator confirmed that their representatives do not contact tax payers via telephone or email without prior permission from you. In addition, it is not their practice to use scare tactics to resolve issues.
If and when the IRS needs to contact you for any reason, it will be done so in writing through the U.S. mail.
Unfortunately, the scam has met with some success as we have been notified of a few victims that have indeed sent money unknowingly to these criminals.
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The best advice we can offer our residents concerning any scam calls is this; if you know that the call/caller is a scam do not talk to them. Do not call them back to let them know that you are aware it is a scam. When you do engage them in conversation it is a sure sign to them that you are willing to talk and perhaps can eventually succeed in scamming you. They may also share your name and telephone number on a list that can be purchased by other phone criminals.
If you would like to report that you have received an IRS fraudulent call, contact the Treasury Inspector General who is investigating this crime at 1-800-366-4484.
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If you are uncertain about your status with the IRS you can call them toll free at 1-800-829-1040.
For additional consumer tips and brochures visit us at http://www.buckscounty.org/government/CommunityServices/ConsumerProtection/ConsumerTips
