FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Downey, CA, April 5, 2018:
IRS Phone Scams
IRS warns of phone scams targeting taxpayers around the country. DON’T BE A VICTIM.
Scammers prey on victims by saying they owe the IRS money. They insist the victims pay immediately through a pre-loaded credit card or wire transfer to avoid arrest, deportation or suspension of driver’s or business license.
Remember:
1. The IRS never asks for a credit card number over the phone or requests a specific form of payment. For instance, the uses of a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.
2. The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. The IRS will first send a bill in the mail.
3. The IRS never asks for PIN numbers, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts.
4. The IRS never discusses the possibility of arrest from the police department, any license revocation or deportation because that is not under its authority.
If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do:
• Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax:
• Call the IRS at (800) 829-1040. IRS workers can help you.
If you believe you may have been a victim of an IRS scam, contact the Downey Police Department immediately at (562) 861-7771
Any questions can be directed to Sergeant Tim Lau at [email protected] or 562-904-2304.
http://www.downeyca.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=9709
