State Attorney General Warns New Yorkers of Phone Scam

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued a warning to local residents of a phone scam following recent reports of an uptick in activity by con artists posing as officials from the Internal Revenue Service.

These scams often target seniors, students, and first-generation Americans.

“With tax season around the corner, hardworking New Yorkers cannot afford to lose money to scam artists,” Schneiderman said. “The tactics used by these fraudsters are reprehensible, but following a few basic tips can help protect you and your wallet.”

In this particular scam, the caller, often using caller ID spoofing so that the victim’s caller ID says “Internal Revenue Service” or displays the number for the IRS, claims to be an agent or police officer from the Internal Revenue Service or Attorney General’s Office calling about a past due tax balance that is owed.

The caller will tell the victim that unless the debt is paid immediately, a team of officers will come to the victim’s home that day to arrest the victim.

The scammer will also request that the “IRS Tax Warrant” be paid with a Green Dot Card Money Card or Western Union MoneyGram.

Sometimes scammers will also ask victims for personal information such as a Social Security number in order to commit identity theft.

Schneiderman provided the following tips for residents to avoid falling victim:

• The IRS and Legitimate Government Agencies Never Demand Payment by Phone - If you owe money, you will receive a legitimate notice in writing that identifies the agency and the reason you owe money. Legitimate government organizations will never threaten arrest or deportation for failure to pay a debt, and will never insist that consumers pay a debt only via a pre-paid credit card.

• Think of the Telephone as a “One Way Street” - It’s okay to give out information over the phone if you made the call to a number you know and trust (such as your own bank). However, never give out personal information when you receive an unsolicited call. If you receive a call soliciting personal information, just hang up the phone, no matter what the caller ID says. If the caller says he’s from your bank and is checking on possible unauthorized withdrawals from your account, hang up the phone and then call your bank. If it was your bank that was trying to call, then it will be happy to confirm the call and will often provide requests to you in writing. If your bank says it wasn’t trying to reach you, that means the caller you hung up on was a scammer.

• Beware If A Caller Asks to Keep a Conversation a Secret - A legitimate caller will never request that a conversation remain a secret, and you should immediately be suspicious. Whether the caller claims to be from the government, a bank, or a family member, requests for confidentiality should raise a red flag.

• Just Say No! - You don’t have to be polite when you receive unsolicited phone calls. The safest thing to do is to say “no” and hang up. Legitimate callers will typically also provide requests in writing. It is better to be guarded than to fall victim.

Consumers are encouraged to file complaints by visiting the Office’s website or calling 1-800-771-7755.