NORFOLK, Va. – Police are warning residents of a local phone scam involving IRS impersonators.
Don’t fall victim to phone scams.
The scam has been going on for five months and over 30 police reports have been filed on the issue. Victims claim that IRS impersonators are calling them and using intimidation while asking for personal information. The scammers also ask for immediate payment through the form of prepaid credit cards or wire transfers.
Sergeant Hodgis, of the Norfolk Police Department’s Fraud Division says, “Norfolk Police, or the IRS will NEVER call and demand immediate payment or threaten you with arrest.”
Scammers can now use spoofing software to alter what shows up on caller IDs. In many cases they can even make the caller ID appear to be of the police or the IRS.
If you receive a call from someone with these demands, the IRS reminds to never give personal or financial information. Next, write down any information that comes up on your caller ID and report the incident to the US Treasury Inspector General at 800-366-4484.
