Sheriff’s Office Says To Hang Up On IRS Phone Scammers

According to M-Live, The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning of an IRS phone scam that is going around the area.

Citizens have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be a part of law enforcement who is out to enforce debts and penalties for the IRS.

The scammers spoof the number of the local police department that shows up on the caller id of the person called.  The person calling ask for payment for the IRS to prevent arrest or other enforcement.

If you get a call and believe you don't owe anything they say to not give them any information and hang up.  If you receive one of the calls you are also asked to report it to U.S Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or you can use their scam reporting website.

You should also report the calls to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.

Police also offer this advice:

• The IRS will not call you to demand immediate payment.
• The IRS will not demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.
• The IRS would not require that you pay your taxes a certain way (check, cash, money order, prepaid debit card, etc.)
• The IRS would not ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone or threaten to bring the police or another agency to arrest you for not paying.