Middlesex Sheriff’s Office warns of IRS scam calls

As the 2016 tax season gets underway, Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today echoed warnings by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be on alert for scam attempts.

“While we have not seen a noticeable uptick in calls reported to us in recent weeks, we want residents to be on guard against attempts by scammers to separate them from their hard-earned money,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “As tax season swings into high gear, it is likely the number of calls being received by local residents from individuals posing as IRS agents – or law enforcement officials collecting on behalf of the IRS – will increase.”

Over a two-year period beginning in October 2013, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported approximately 4,550 victims nationwide lost more than $23 million in these IRS scams.

In the most common form of the scam, perpetrators will identify themselves as either IRS agents or members of law enforcement. They will inform the person receiving the call that they have overdue taxes and will demand the bill be paid immediately either though a wire transfer or via a pre-paid debit card. In the event the person refuses to pay, the caller will often threaten arrest. And in some instances, the caller will spoof the telephone numbers of IRS offices or law enforcement agencies, making it appear as if the calls are coming from those entities.

“At no time will a real IRS agent or law enforcement official demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “These are telltale signs of a scam.”

In an effort to add further legitimacy, the caller may touch upon information they have been able to glean from public sources including social media. This could include facts about employment or family, for instance.

Residents who receive scam calls may report them to the Federal Trade Commission or to TIGTA through its IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page (https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml). Losses should also be immediately reported to your local police department.

– Submitted by Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian’s office