IRS scam targeting South Lake Tahoe residents

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department has received multiple reports regarding a phone scam to local residents. Callers are identifying themselves to potential victims as an employee of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). These phony IRS Agents inform the victim they have a warrant for their arrest or owe taxes. This is a scam. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they must pay using a pre-paid debit card, credit cards or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license.

The callers who commit this fraud often:

· Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers.

· May know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security number.
· Make caller ID appear as if the IRS is calling.
· Send bogus IRS emails to support their scam.
· Call multiple times claiming to be the police or DMV and caller ID again supports their claim.

The IRS usually first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes. The IRS DOES NOT ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card, credit card, or wire transfer.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s what to do:

· If you owe federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
· If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
· You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov. Add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments in your complaint.
· Do not give the callers your personal information

Be alert for phone and email scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never request personal or financial information by email, texting or any social media. Don’t open any attachments or click on any links in those emails.