Tift County Sheriff's Office Press Release Regarding IRS Phone Scams

CITIZEN ALERT  ** IRS PHONE SCAMS

Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough warns citizens to be wary of people calling and telling you that they are with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) demanding that you pay “back taxes” they claim that you owe.  Scarbrough said that during August 2016 there have been several reports filed by citizens of Tift County who have received this type of call.  He said that one citizen fell victim to the scam and lost almost $9,500 as a result. Even after sending the money the scam artist did not stop calling, in fact he told the victim that he owned another $6,000.  The bogus caller states that you owe back taxes and will give a payment option to avoid warrants being taken for your arrest.

Sheriff Scarbrough said that the caller will further intimidate the person receiving the call by telling them their property will be seized if they don’t “pay”.  The caller will ask that a money order be sent to a location, demand some type of gift cards to be purchased and sent to them to “pay the taxes” or simply ask for the account numbers on the cards so they can be redeemed.  Another local resident was told to get cash and come to the courthouse which fortunately they did not do.

Scarbrough said that according to the IRS website:

The IRS will never:
Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.

Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you do, don’t give out any information and hang up immediately.  Sheriff Scarbrough said persons receiving this type of phone call should never purchase a money order or gift card, give out debit or credit information or to agree to bring cash and meet the caller.  If you find yourself a victim of this type of scam, contact your local law enforcement agency.

For additional information if you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.  The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.  Remember, the IRS does not use email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue involving bills or refunds.  For more information on reporting tax scams, go to www.irs.gov and type scam in the search box.  If you have been targeted by this scam you can also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their FTC Complaint Assistant.