Wenham Police Warn About IRS Scam

WENHAM, MA — Wenham police are warning residents to be wary as tax season comes around and scammers try to take advantage.

Police noted a common scam is when residents trying to file their taxes electronically and are met with a message that their taxes had been submitted by another entity. Residents are encouraged to complete and file taxes as soon as possible to give potential scammers less time and opportunity to submit a refund using their information.

Other scams, especially during tax season, include scammers calling residents claiming to be from the IRS or another government body.

The scammer informs the victim that they did not pay, or incorrectly filed their taxes and now owe money to the IRS, which must be paid promptly through a preloaded debit card or wire transfer. If victims refuse to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver's license. Scammers also sometimes claim to represent the victim's local police department. Officials clarified that local police do not enforce federal tax laws in any capacity.

Police offered these reminders for residents:

• If you owe back taxes, the IRS will contact you by mail, and not by phone, email or social media.
• The IRS never requests personal or financial information by email, text or social media. (The IRS says it has no way to text people.)
• The IRS does not leave prerecorded or urgent voicemails.
• The IRS will not ask for payment using a prepaid debit card, gift cards, a money order or wire transfer.
• The IRS will not ask for a credit card number over the phone.

In the latest scam, an "IRS agent" states that a small fee is required to qualify for a government stimulus check. No government agency, including the IRS, requires anyone to pay anything to receive a stimulus payment.

Police said the best way to handle scam calls is to hang up, and if you are unsure or believe you may owe money, call the IRS at 800-829-1040.