Sheriff: IRS phone scam targeting Mississippi County, Mo., residents

– Local police are warning residents of a phone scam that’s circulating in the area.

Beware of high pressure techniques, like the need to give information or make a decision on the spot. Their goal? To take your money.

“These are false, if you receive any kind of phone call claiming to pay taxes and the effect being any police department coming out to arrest you, these are fraudulent calls”, said Stefaniak. The real IRS will not ask for financial information over the phone. “They often leave “urgent” callback requests”. “And it’s spiking again”. “These callers are using scare tactics to try and catch you off guard”. Everyone is fair game.

The AG’s office said on Wednesday morning alone, their office had “dozens of complaints from consumers” regarding these calls.

Arlington Police received a report that a resident was contacted on his cell phone, with “emergency call” appearing on the caller ID, by a person identifying himself as a federal agent.

“As with most of these scams, the majority of them come from overseas”, he said.

Jensen says they received 38 calls yesterday from folks reporting the scam. For example, most of these fake IRS calls are coming from a 202 area code, which is Washington D.C. “Therefore, we are actively trying to educate the public so that they do not also fall victim to these sophisticated, intimidating scams”.

Anyone with tips should call the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 513-785-1258. Fortunately she responded quickly contacting her accountant and then the law enforcement. They all warned that the IRS does not work this way.