El Cerrito Residents Targeted in IRS Scam

EL CERRITO, CA- El Cerrito police are advising residents to be aware of IRS scams after a chance encounter with an officer spared one resident from being conned today.

At 12:36 p.m., El Cerrito police issued an advisory stating that a man had flagged down an officer earlier in the day and asked directions to a local IRS office. After the officer asked why he was seeking the office, the resident explained that he was contacted by the IRS and told to bring thousands of dollars in cash there, according to police.

The man retrieved the cash from his bank but could not find the address for the El Cerrito IRS office, which police said does not exist. The officer informed the man that he had been the victim of a frequent scam in which thieves call taxpayers claiming to be IRS officials, according to police.

Police directed residents to the website of the IRS, which explains that the con typically involves the demand that victims pay fraudulent tax bills, accompanied by the threat of prosecution.

Those targeted are asked to report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration by calling (800) 366-4484.