Edison PD Warns Residents Of Tax Scams Involving IRS Impersonators

EDISON, NJ — The Edison Police Department is warning residents of an ongoing tax scam.

Scammers posing as IRS agents are calling unsuspecting residents claiming they owe taxes that must be paid using a pre-paid debit card, money order or a wire transfer.

Those who refuse to pay are being threatened with grand jury indictment, immediate arrest, deportation or loss of business or driver's license.

“If there is a problem with a person’s taxes, the IRS issues notices by mail—not by phone,” the police department said.

Older residents are at high risk of being scammed, but are less likely to report being defrauded because they often don’t know where to report, are ashamed of being scammed or may not know they have been scammed.

Here’s how you can spot an IRS imposter:

• They use an automated robo-call machine
• Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers
• May know the last four digits of the victim’s social security number
• Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling
• Aggressively demand immediate payment to avoid being criminally charged or arrested
• Claim that hanging up will cause the immediate issuance of an arrest warrant for unpaid taxes
• Send fake IRS e-mails
• Call a second or third time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim

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