Police in LaPorte warn of telephone scammers pretending to be IRS agents preying on unsuspecting citizens. The scammer claims there is something wrong with the victim’s tax return and tries to scare the victim into wiring them money by threatening to send an IRS agent to the home within an hour. Police say the scammers seem to be targeting senior citizens, some of whom get a second telephone call claiming a grandchild or other relative is in jail and needs bond money.
Police say any request for money to be sent via wire transfer or prepaid credit card is a tip-off to a possible scam, as money cannot be traced. They stress you should never give out any personal or bank information over the telephone. IRS officials add they send letters to taxpayers regarding problems with their returns and do not initiate telephone calls as a means of collecting debt. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to see if there is a problem with your return. If so, they will work with you to make payment arrangements.
If you receive a scam telephone call, contact the authorities right away.
