“IRS” Phone Scam Continues in Mercer County Area

scamalertMercer County area residents have recently been receiving phone calls, text messages and emails from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. The residents are told that they owe money to the IRS and they must make prompt payment by using a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. They are also being advised that if they fail to make the payment, they face having their driver’s license suspended or risk being arrested.

Area police departments, including the Hopewell Township Police, are warning residents about the scam. Tips police are sharing from the IRS:

The IRS will never:

– call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill

– demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe

– require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card

– ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone

– threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

Residents who feel like they are possibly being scammed are urged to contact their local police department before providing any personal information or payment to anyone claiming to be from the IRS.

More information concerning IRS tax scams can be found at www.irs.gov.