Michigan State Police Warns Residents of IRS Scam
The Michigan State Police have issued a warning regarding a telephone scam using the IRS as a cover.
Police are saying that scammers have been using fake names and IRS badge numbers to intimidate victims into wiring money to pay off IRS debts. The scammers have threatened victims with audits, arrests, suspension of business licenses and deportation.
People have been falling for this particular scam because the callers often have personal information about them, like their date of birth and social security numbers. The scammers have also sent emails and made follow-up calls from other people which makes the claims seem more legitimate. They have also been able to spoof real phone numbers from the IRS.
The IRS has stated that they will never ask for payments via credit card, debit card, or wire transfer. They also do not contact people via email, text message or social media.
Anyone who thinks they may be a victim of an IRS scam should report it to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.
The scam has been reported in other states, as well. In this recorded phone call, from Montana, a radio host in Missoula called the scammers back and recorded the call as way to warn people about the scam, as well as give them a good idea of what the calls sound like.
Source: WZZM-13