Caller Claims To Be From IRS, Demands Gift Cards

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A scammer duped an Annapolis resident by claiming to call from the Internal Revenue Service and demanding payment for taxes. To pay the bogus tax claim, the resident purchased gift cards and then called the scammer back to read the numbers, Annapolis Police said.

A day after he gave the scammers the gift card numbers, the resident said he received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the police department, who told he needed to pay more money or he would be arrested. The Caller ID displayed the Annapolis Police Department's administrative phone line, 410-268-9000. This time the resident did not purchase gift cards.

Police say this is a fraud using Caller ID spoofing. "The IRS will not call you and demand payment using gift cards. We will not call and tell you that you have a warrant and that you need to send us money or buy gift cards," says the police department.

The use of a legitimate police office number is known as "spoofing" and enables the caller to disguise his true identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally. U.S. law and FCC rules prohibit most types of spoofing.

Here's what police say to do if you receive a telephone call you believe is a scam:

• Do not provide information over the phone. Scammers often ask leading questions to retrieve information from you. Often, you do not realize that you are giving them valuable information.
• Scammers create a sense of urgency. Slow down and ask the caller for detailed information and a contact number. Tell the caller you will call them back. Then, attempt to verify the caller's story by calling police.
• Do not send money.
• Most importantly, contact police immediately if you believe you are a victim of a telephone scam.

The department has more information about Caller ID spoofing and other crimes on its website.

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