IRS scam targets more mid-Missourians
More mid-Missourians are being targeted by scammers posing as the government so the real IRS has issued a new warning.
This scam, where a person calls pretending they are with the government and claims you owe taxes so you must immediately pay or be arrested, began this year.
Since it started, it has grown rapidly. Randolph County Sheriff Mark Nichols said he’s taken four calls just this week about people being targeted.
The IRS has stepped in, releasing a video warning people what to look for and how to avoid falling victim.
“Scammers are always looking for ways to get your money year-round. Some of the most common scams involve con artists, pretending to be from the IRS and calling victims, telling them they have to pay right now or else…DON’T BELIEVE THEM,” IRS spokeswoman Monica advised.
“There are procedures in place and we won’t intimidate you. We won’t call you about tax debt you owe without first mailing you an official notice,” she said.
The IRS also will never ask for personal information over the phone or insist on a specific payment method.
If you think you may have been called by a scammer, call the IRS, Attorney General’s office, or the Better Business Bureau.
