LCSO: IRS scam calls ongoing in Lee County
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line continues to receive dozens of calls from concerned residents recently reporting suspicious phone calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS.
Victims are told they owe money for unpaid taxes, threatening arrest if payment is not made promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the phone is not answered, the caller will leave an “urgent” message requesting a callback.
This is a scam.
Please note that the IRS will never:
– Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
– Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
– Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.
– Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
– Threaten to bring local police or other law enforcement agencies to have you arrested for not paying.
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 TIGTA 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.
To contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line, call (239) 258-3292.
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
LCSO: IRS scam calls ongoing in Lee County
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line continues to receive dozens of calls from concerned residents recently reporting suspicious phone calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS.
Victims are told they owe money for unpaid taxes, threatening arrest if payment is not made promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the phone is not answered, the caller will leave an “urgent” message requesting a callback.
This is a scam.
Please note that the IRS will never:
– Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
– Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
– Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.
– Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
– Threaten to bring local police or other law enforcement agencies to have you arrested for not paying.
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 TIGTA 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.
To contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line, call (239) 258-3292.
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Business
Lee County Legal Aid Society to host free clinic for area seniors
Suffolk, Tobler Construction to host construction-industry hiring event Feb. 11
