Scam calls claiming residents owe money to the IRS have taken a new turn, according to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
MCSD is warning residents that callers have starting using automated messages claiming a warrant has been issued for their arrest due to the debt. The message directs residents to call a certain number to make immediate payment to avoid arrest. MCSD has confirmed this is a scam.
The Internal Revenue Service does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information, according to an IRS consumer alert. In addition, IRS does not threaten taxpayers with lawsuits, imprisonment or other enforcement action.
The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
“However, there are special circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business, such as when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, to secure a delinquent tax return or a delinquent employment tax payment, or to tour a business as part of an audit or during criminal investigations,” the IRS website reads.
Even then, taxpayers will generally first receive several notices via USPS prior to that point.
Residents who think they have been the target of a scam should call MCSD at 270-527-3112.