Old IRS Tax Scam Resurfacing in Franklin, Surrounding Counties

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas reports an old tax scam is once again resurfacing in our area.

Victims receive a call from someone claiming to be either law enforcement or an IRS official telling them they owe money to the IRS.

In this latest case Thomas said the caller claims to be law enforcement.

“The Franklin County Sheriff’s office has been getting many calls from people who are getting calls from someone who says they are a police officer and the victim owes the IRS money,” Thomas said. “This is a scam. Do not attempt to pay any money to these callers or to the IRS, do not give them any personal information. The IRS does not work in this manner. Just hang up.”

The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent months as scam artists threaten police arrest, deportation, license revocation and other things. The IRS reminds taxpayers to guard against all sorts of con games that arise during any filing season.
“If someone calls unexpectedly claiming to be from the IRS with aggressive threats if you don’t pay immediately, it’s a scam artist calling,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The first IRS contact with taxpayers is usually through the mail. Taxpayers have rights, and this is not how we do business.”

Phone scams topped the list of IRS scams and frauds in 2015.

Scammers are able to alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS badge numbers. They often leave “urgent” callback requests.

They prey on the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly, newly arrived immigrants and those whose first language is not English.

Scammers have been known to impersonate agents from IRS Criminal Investigation as well.

“These criminals try to scare and shock you into providing personal financial information on the spot while you are off guard,” Koskinen said. “Don’t be taken in and don’t engage these people over the phone.”

Other local law enforcement agencies in Banks and Madison Counties have also had complaints from citizens regarding this type of scam.

Thomas said the phone number the victims say the scam artist is calling from is: 549-588-7455.

But according to Areacodelookup.com, the 549 area code is NOT a valid area code. This area code is NOT officially assigned to a known Numbering Plan Area (NPA). The 549 area code is not assigned to a city/state location.  In most cases with invalid area codes like 549, tend to be used by phone numbers from telemarketing companies.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of this scam or some other tax scam, you should first file a report with your local law enforcement office and then contact the IRS by going online to www.IRS.gov.