Rogers-Lowell Area News

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALERT: The IRS Scam Picks Up Speed Again

Scammers are dusting off the IRS scam and intimidating Arkansans once again by trying to convince innocent consumers that they owe back taxes that must be paid immediately. Consumers have recently been contacting the Attorney General’s office reporting that the scammers are spoofing phone numbers and posing as the IRS.

“Scammers continually use new strategies to frighten Arkansans,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “There are various versions of this scam. Consumers should know that the IRS may send multiple letters, but will never make threatening phone calls.”

The IRS continues to remind consumers that these scam calls are recognizable and that the agency will not do the following:
• Call demanding immediate payment. The IRS will not call if taxes are owed without first sending a bill in the mail.
• Demand that taxes are paid without providing the individual the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Require a specific form of tax payment. For example, the IRS will not demand payment by prepaid debit card.
• Ask consumers for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to make an arrest for not paying taxes.
The IRS encourages Arkansans to not to give out personal information during any unsolicited phone call from the IRS and to hang up immediately, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at (800) 366-4484 to report the call and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The agency also requests that any scam emails be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov.  

The IRS encourages Arkansans with any questions about owed taxes to contact their office directly at (800) 829-1040.

For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.