Danbury Police Report Increase in 'IRS' Scams

DANBURY, CT — With tax season around the corner, scammers are out in full force attempting to coerce victims into unwillingly paying thousands.

The Danbury Police Department issued a warning to residents Friday, citing that it has seen an increase in victims reporting phone calls from those posing as Internal Revenue Service employees(IRS).

Police say callers are informing victims that the "IRS" has a warrant for their arrest, and that the warrant will be removed if the victim pays.

To sign up for Danbury breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Police are warning residents that the IRS will never do the following:

1. Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill. All initial contact by the IRS will be via mail.
2. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
3. Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or I-Tunes Gift Cards.
4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
5. Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

Police urge residents not to give out any personal information to scammers, and to report scam calls to the U.S. Treasury online or at 1-800-366-4484 and the Federal Trade Commission

Image via Shutterstock