Police warn of phone scammers impersonating IRS agents

Thurston County residents should be wary of a phone scam in which callers identify themselves as IRS agents and demand money for unpaid taxes, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Callers often use automated robocall machines, use common names and fake badge numbers, and manipulate caller ID information so that it looks like the IRS is calling. Callers often have the last four digits of the victim’s social security number and say that if payment isn’t received, the victim will be charged or arrested.

Law enforcement says real IRS agents generally contact people by mail, not phone. They never ask for payment using a prepaid debit card, a money order or a wire transfer.

If you receive one of these calls, fill out the “IRS Impersonation Scam” form on Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration website, www.tigta.gov, or call 800-366-4484.

You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to comments in the complaint.

If you owe federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Police warn of phone scammers impersonating IRS agents."