Ridgefield Police Report 'Numerous Cases of IRS Impersonator Scams' This Week

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

The Ridgefield 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, however, that no financial loss has been reported due to the scams.

Police say the scammers demand that victims pay a bogus tax bill, and request that bills be paid with a prepaid debit card or wire transfers.

According to police, the IRS will not:

• Call you to demand immediate payment.
• Call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.
• Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.
• Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.
• Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.
• Contact you via email

Police recommend that residents hang up the phone immediately if they receive such a call, do not call back if you receive a message requesting a call back, and to never give out any personal or financial information over the phone.

Residents are urged to report scam calls to the U.S. Treasury online or at 1-800-366-4484 and the Federal Trade Commission. You can also contact police at 203-438-6531 if you need assistance.

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