BBB Warns of IRS Scam in the Lake Area

Yet another scam is being worked here in the Lake Area and the BBB warns you not to be taken in by the scare tactics being used by these jerks. You might get a phone call from someone and what shows up on your caller ID, is "IRS." Now that's enough to send a chill up your spine, but it's not the IRS.

The person on the other end of the phone will state that they are from the IRS. They may even offer up all kinds of "proof" they are with the IRS including a badge number, which, just like the caller, is fake. At that point they tell you that unless you pay whatever amount they say you owe, you will be arrested.

Of course what follows is the inevitable list of personal questions all designed to get money out of you. Do not give any caller sensitive information on the phone. There are a few other minor details you should know as well.

First of all, the IRS is not going to threaten you with arrest. You can't be arrested for owing money. This country did away with debtors prison hundreds of years ago.

You have the right to ask for written documentation from anyone who claims you owe money.

Another warning sign of a scam is if the caller demands that you to purchase a green dot moneypak card or wire the money immediately.

Never give a caller information like your Social Security number or credit card numbers. If it's really the IRS, they are not going to ask for credit card information and they already know your Social Security number.

Finally, according to the Better Business Bureau:

If you are not sure if you owe taxes, you should call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. If you feel you are being scammed, then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484. You may also want to report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission "FTC" at 877-382-4357.