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Residents reported getting calls from a person who identified himself/herself as an IRS agent, and who said that the resident owed back taxes, and must pay immediately by phone or wire to avoid getting arrested within a few hours.
The IRS says that any one of the five actions below marks a scam, as the IRS will never do one of these things, and scammers frequently do. These actions are:
- Call about taxes without first mailing an official notice
- Demand payment without providing the opportunity to question or appeal the amount
- Require a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone
- Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement members
The IRS advises people who receive such a call to hang up the phone. People can also report the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.
For further information on this scam go this IRS site.
Other telephone scams involve caller pretending to be an attorney or law enforcement officer is calling to report a relative has been arrested in a distant city, and that the relative will go to jail unless there is immediate bail payment. Police recommend hanging up on such callers.
Police add that no law enforcement officer would ever call with a demand for money.
The FBI has advice on avoiding telephone scams at this website.
New Castle residents can also contact Sgt. Estuardo Pazmino 914-238-4422 or epazmino@town.new-castle.ny.us.
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