Santa Clarita Sheriff Station Report – IRS Phone Scam

The IRS contacts taxpayers through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.

Scams take many shapes and forms, such as phone calls, letters, and emails. Many IRS impersonators use threats to intimidate and bully people into paying a fabricated tax bill. They may even threaten to arrest or deport their would-be victim if the victim doesn’t comply.

Here are some methods used by scammers provided by the IRS to protect you and your family:

• Scammers will call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
• They will demand that you pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe. You should also be advised of your rights as a taxpayer.
• Some may threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers or other law-enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.

NOTE: The IRS also cannot revoke your driver’s license, business licenses, or immigration status. Threats like these are common tactics scam artists use to trick victims into buying into their schemes.

Final thought, never give out information if a scammer request for it. An official IRS employee will already have your information.

If you are a taxpayer and have questions, you should contact the International Taxpayer Service Call Center by phone or fax. The International Call Center is operational Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Eastern Time):
Tel: 267-941-1000 (not toll-free)
Fax: 267-466-1055 (for international tax account issues only)”

This IRS scam is very similar to one that pops up now and again in Santa Clarita where the scammer pretends to be either a police officer or a sheriff’s deputy and tries to frighten the intended victim into paying a bogus fine by telling them that there’s a warrant out for their arrest. Much like the IRS, the police do not call people on the phone to solicit fines, fees, or notify them that they have a warrant. If an individual has a warrant out for their arrest, law enforcement are required to service the warrant by arresting them – not calling them on the phone.