Warning: Pleasanton Residents Targeted in Taxpayer Phone Scam

The IRS has repeatedly warned taxpayers about tax-related phone scams. Now local police, and California’s state tax agency, the State Board of Equalization (BOE), are saying the scam is happening right now in the East Bay--this time with the crooks pretending that they work for the state.

Patch has been contacted by residents of Pleasanton and Danville who’ve received the calls.

Here’s how it works: someone impersonating a local police officer calls demanding immediate payment for a tax liability and threatens to arrest the victim. The callers spoof police department or BOE telephone numbers on caller ID, creating the appearance that a legitimate party is calling.

The federal and state tax agencies will never do this. They always contact taxpayers by mail first about taxes that are owed.

“We take any and all efforts to defraud California taxpayers seriously and have launched an investigation into the complaints we’ve received so far,” said Vice Chair George Runner. “If you’ve been contacted by someone who may be falsely claiming to represent a tax agency, please let us know immediately.”

If you have received such a call, contact the BOE Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (except state holidays).

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