Schumer Urges Dept. Of Justice To Crack Down On IRS Scammers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The IRS impersonation scam is back this tax season, and according to New York Senator Charles Schumer, it's worse than ever.
Schumer is urging the Department of Justice to crack down on the IRS scams, a fraud scheme the politician says is "spreading like wildfire."
During the scheme, scammers pose as IRS agents, intimidate victims and then convince them to send money, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"They tell them to use Moneygram or Western Union and people are out thousands of dollars," Schumer said.
Schumer said the FBI should be making more of an effort to track down the callers and that money order companies should be more proactive about alerting customers, 1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon reported.
Schumer says the scam is usually targeted towards the elderly, and if you get such a call, Schumer advises not to follow their instructions.
"They can call the IRS, they can call my office," Schumer said. "If they have an accountant or a lawyer they should call their accountant or lawyer. If they don't, call a relative, call a younger relative, particularly if an elderly person and let them handle it."
Schumer said his office has already received 100 calls about the scam.