Tax Time Is Peak Season For IRS Phone Scam Incidents, Police Warn

PINOLE, CA- The number one nationwide scam, occurring nearly 2000 times day, is the IRS phone call, reports Pinole Police Department, and with tax season they become even more common.

Officials reminded residents in a notice on Monday, "The IRS does not use the telephone as a means of contact."

"Scammers will call you and demand money for back taxes," says the notice, "They will pressure you into paying the debt off or you will be arrested, deported, or your license will be suspended. The scammer will either demand you wire transfer them the money or you pay them over the phone with your debit card/credit card."

PPD reminds residents that IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment.

• The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes.
• They will not demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.
• Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.
• Ask for your credit, debit card numbers or social security numbers.
• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying

Officials remind residents not to give any information out and to hang up immediately and to report the call immediately to the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page, or by calling 800-366-4484.

Common characteristics of a scam include:

• Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
• Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security number.
• Scammers “spoof” or imitate the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that the IRS is calling.
• Scammers sometimes send fake IRS emails to some victims to support their fake calls.

If any of these suspicious activities occur, Pinole Police Department asks you to contact them by calling (510) 724-8950

Information released by the Pinole Police Department

Photo via Pinole Police Department