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Scammers have reportedly called Putnam County residents claiming the victim owes the IRS money. The caller then demands credit card or bank information, police said.
Residents are warned the scammers will use fake names and bogus badge numbers. They are also capable altering caller IDs and may send emails, police said.
“This scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every state in the country," IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. "We want to educate taxpayers so they can help protect themselves. Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer."
Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith recommends the following actions for residents who feel they may be victims:
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If you indeed 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.
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If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
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Anyone receiving calls or e-mails of this nature can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 222.FTC.gov. Choose “Other” and then “Improper Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words, “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes of your complaint.
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