NAHANT — Police are warning residents to be wary of tax-related phone scams during tax season.
Several residents have reported would-be swindlers claiming they’re IRS agents and demanding immediate payment. The scammer threatens the resident with a lawsuit or arrest, and oftentimes the calls may sound convincing.
The department has issued the following tips to identify an IRS scam call:
- The IRS will always make contact by mail before calling about unpaid taxes.
- The IRS will never demand immediate payment. A key warning sign of any scam is specific payment such as gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers. A government entity will accept gift cards as a valid form of payment.
- The IRS will never threaten arrest or deportation for not paying taxes.
- The IRS will never request personal or financial information by email, text, or social media.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a phone scam should contact their local police department.