PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT- Be Aware of IRS Phone Scams! Victims are being asked to pay by pre-loaded debit cards! 
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
DATE/TIME: 9/16/14
INCIDENT: IRS Pervasive Telephone Scam
LOCATION: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
Several Rancho Cucamonga residents have been recent victims of an IRS Phone Scam. 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. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
The IRS website warns consumers about this scam and has this advice for taxpayers, the IRS does not ask for credit card numbers or pre-paid debit card information over the phone, if you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do:
Do not give out any of your personal information to the caller, do not purchase pre-paid money cards and give the caller the information on the cards, advise the caller that you will be contacting local law enforcement and the IRS to report the incident. IRS also advises taxpayers to be aware of other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and you feel it is a scam, you should report the incident to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.
If you think you might owe taxes, or question the validity of a phone call you received, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. www.IRS.gov
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department (909) 477-2800. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com
Station: Rancho Cucamonga Station
Phone No. 909-477-2800
JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Rancho Cucamonga Police Department
10510 Civic Center Dr
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-477-2800
