Police warn public about telephone scam

The Curry Coastal Pilot and the Brookings Police Department has received numerous calls in the last few days from citizens targeted by scam artists pretending to represent the IRS.

EAST HAMPTON Police have issued an alert warning residents to be aware of a scam involving from people claiming to be from the IRS.

Lt. Andy Green of the Lima Police Department said the IRS will not demand money without giving the person a chance to dispute or appeal the amount allegedly owed.

The I.R.S. will never call you to collect money and no government agency will ever call and threaten arrest or court action.

Sometimes people contacted by the criminals may have outstanding tax bills, but even in those instances the IRS would not contact the taxpayer by phone.

Callers may say that the IRS has a warrant for an individual’s arrest due to back taxes owed.

Another tip: don’t open any attachments or click on any links.

If you get a call like this, you should hang up immediately. “In many cases, the caller becomes aggressive or insulting”, the chief said.

In response to the City of Spring Hill Facebook Post, residents reported receiving tax scam phone calls this morning from the numbers 607-270-0478 and 607-270-0059.

If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to TIGTA at 800-366-4484. The IRS employees will assist you with a payment issue, if there really is such an issue. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.