Sheriff's Office warns residents as IRS phone scam callers target area

Palm Coast Observer
News

The following is a news release from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office:

Callers flooded the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Feb. 12 with at least 30 reports of receiving calls from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. One series of calls involved an automated caller saying, "The IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. Call this number immediately."

These calls are not legitimate.

These types of bogus phone calls happen all year round, but especially during tax season.

The Sheriff’s Office and the IRS continue to warn people to stay alert to these kinds of calls from criminals who intend to steal money or consumers’ identity.

Since October 2013, federal authorities have received reports of about 736,000 scam contacts. More than 4,550 victims have collectively over $23 million as a result of phone scams.

Here are some important things to keep in mind:

The IRS does not call people to demand payment; ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, or threaten to arrest you for not paying taxes.
The IRS won’t call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.
If you don't owe taxes, don't give any information. HANG UP IMMEDIATELY.
Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call. You can use its web page "IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting'' or call 800-366-4484.
Report such calls to the Federal Trade Commission: Use the "FTC Complaint Assistant" on FTC.gov. Specify "IRS Telephone Scam."

If you do owe taxes or think you may owe:

Call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you.
Don't fall victim to these scams. Don't give anyone information over the phone that you don't know, regardless of how trustworthy they may seem.

For more information, go to IRS.gov and visit "Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts.''