IRS Tax Scam Hits Western Washington: Police

REDMOND, WA - Local police are warning of a scam circulating in Western Washington involving callers who demand immediate payment from taxpayers over tax debts.

Redmond police reported that the department has received multiple calls about the scam already. The scammers alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling, Redmond police say.

During the scam, the caller will demand payment for an alleged tax debt; if you refuse to pay, they threaten everything from arrest to deportation to revoking your drivers license. The callers even go so far as to announce fake badge numbers to make the calls sound more official.

The elderly and people whose first language is not English are often targeted, Redmond police say.

Police are reminding residents that the IRS will never call you about a tax debt, and they will never demand payment over the phone. Redmond police recommend several remedies if you encounter this scam:

• If you owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040; you may be able to arrange a payment plan
• Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 or at TIGTA.gov and report the scam call
• Report the scam call to the Federal Trade Commission using their FTC Complaint Assistant website feature

In addition to this phone scam, the FTC is also warning of scammers contacting taxpayers about alleged tax debts related to the Affordable Care Act. These contacts might come via email or on social media.

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