Basking Ridge Resident Victimized By 'IRS' Phone Scam

Basking Ridge, NJ—A Bernards Township resident reported being the victim of possible identity theft after a caller convinced him to reveal personal information over the phone.

The resident said that on July 31 a man called his home number and identified himself as an IRS agent named "David." The caller said a vehicle registered to the resident was just stopped at the Mexican border with 20 kilos of cocaine hidden inside.

To sound official, the caller provided two "case numbers" and then began to demand the resident's personal information. The resident revealed private information—including his social security number—before realizing that the call was not legitimate and hanging up.

"It’s never a good idea to give out sensitive information like your Social Security number to someone who calls you unexpectedly," said a statement by the Federal Trade Commission, "even if they say they’re with the Social Security Administration or IRS."

The victim said there have been no attempts to use the stolen information.