KCSO Warns of IRS Phone Scams

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The Sheriff’s Office receives inquiries from Klamath County citizens on a daily basis about phone calls from supposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representatives. The vast majority of these phone calls are from a “robo” system, wherein a recorded message is on the other end of the line, and it threatens to alert law enforcement to make arrests if tax-related demands are not met. These type of calls are, always, illegitimate; those behind the calls are seeking to swindle the unknowing out of money.

The IRS assures the public in several consumer alerts they have released that they would NEVER:

  • Call to demand payment, nor call about taxes owed without having mailed a bill;
  • Demand you pay without allowing you to question or appeal the amount owed;
  • Require you use a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card;
  • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; nor
  • Threaten to bring in law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.

You can also file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov; choose “Scams and Rip-offs” and then “Impostor Scams.” Include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

Unfortunately those behind these scams are successful in getting money from some of our vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. The Sheriff’s Office encourages you to share this information with friends and family members and report any calls you receive via the Treasury phone number and FTC website above. Stopping these type of scams requires the federal government’s attention.

Press release provided from Morgan Lindsay, Public Information Officer, Klamath County Sheriffs Office.