IRS Phone Scams on the Rise in North Andover, Police Say

NORTH ANDOVER – Police say that North Andover residents and residents in surrounding communities have seen an uptake in scam phone calls reporting to be from the IRS.

"The scam call says that a person owes back taxes and will offer to negotiate payment over the phone," according to statement from police. "The caller usually has an accent of some type."

If residents receive a phone call like this, police say, "do not give out an personal information or arrange payment." Residents who do receive a call like this are asked to call their local police department or notify a local IRS office.

The IRS will not contact people directly by phone if back taxes are owed.