Residents around Florida are getting phone calls from people claiming they are from the IRS, and that they are owed money that must be paid promptly.
However, the Better Business Bureau serving West Florida is calling these types of calls scams, and warning people around the state to not give out personal information.
“Don’t be pressured into making payments you don’t owe,” said Karen Nalven, the local Better Business Bureau president, in a release. “These callers are using scare tactics to try and catch you off guard.”
Thousands of taxpayers have been the target of phone calls in what is being described as the “largest ever” phone fraud scam costing Americans $4 million. It’s just one of the techniques, BBB officials say, scammers are using to rip off unsuspecting customers.
To avoid being scammed as well, the BBB is offering these tips:
- Don’t give out financial information over the phone. The real IRS will not ask for financial information that way. Any contact from the IRS will be through direct mail.
- Hang up the phone. Those asked for personal or financial information by someone claiming to be an IRS employee should simply hang up.
- For those who receive an email, delete it. The IRS will not attempt to contact anyone through email. Any emails claiming to be from the IRS are likely scams, the BBB says. Such emails may include computer viruses that could harm computers, or even access personal information.
- Report the incident. For those who are victims of the scam, call the treasury inspector general at (800) 366-4484. People exposed to this scam should also contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov.
