Police Issue Consumer Alert on Tax Scams

Submitted by the Wheaton Police Department 

The Wheaton Police Department has been alerted by a number of residents about a new telephone scam targeting taxpayers attempted by individuals claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and trying to defraud them.

The United States Treasury Inspector recently reported that this is the largest scam of its kind ever discovered where thousands of victims have collectively paid over $1 million to individuals claiming to be IRS officials.

Residents should know that the IRS normally first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes.

Moreover, the IRS will not ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also will not ask for a credit card number over the telephone.

Callers who commit this fraud often:

• Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers.
• Know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number.
• Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling.
• Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam.
• Call a second time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here is what to do:

• If you owe Federal taxes, or think, you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
• If you do not owe taxes, call and report the incident to the United States Treasury Inspector General at 800-366-4484.
• You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.

Read more about tax frauds on the genuine IRS website at www.irs.gov.