Full Notification

Authorities warn local residents to beware of a scam where callers claim to be with the IRS or Treasury Department and say the folks they have called are guilty of tax fraud.
McDowell County sheriff’s deputies have taken calls concerning the scheme that has been going around the state and country for months, as tax season approaches.
The fraudulent callers are telling residents that there are warrants for their arrest, and the resident should contact the Treasury Department or IRS or they will be arrested and have to appear in federal court.
“Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not,” states the IRS website. “These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling.”
The website says the victims are often times 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.
If the phone isn’t answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request.
Local folks should keep in mind that the IRS DOES NOT:
-- Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
-- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
-- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
-- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
-- Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement agencies to have you arrested for not paying.
Anyone with questions or concerns can call the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office at 652-2235.