Nassau Officials Urge Vigilance In Response To IRS Phone Scam
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Officials in Nassau County, Long Island are urging residents to be on alert in the face of an ongoing Internal Revenue Service telephone scam.
Nassau County Police said several residents have received phone calls from persons claiming to be from the IRS who say they or a family member owe money for unpaid taxes.
Police said the victims were then told they can avoid arrest, foreclosure or suspension/termination of services if they make a payment.
The IRS will never ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor does it request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer, officials advised.
Police said scammers have also been using fake names and IRS badges to appear more legitimate. They said those involved in the scam may also be able to recite the last four digits of a victim's Social Security Number, spoof an official IRS number on caller ID, and send fake IRS emails to support the calls.
In some cases, after threatening jail time or driver's license revocation, scammers hung up and had others call back pretending to be from the police or DMV with a caller ID phone number that would support the bogus claim, police said.
Officials said the scams cost residents thousands in unrecoverable money and urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim to call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in the case is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477). All calls remain anonymous.
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