Phone scammers claim to be from IRS

Eastern Idaho law enforcement agencies are warning people about phone scammers claiming to be from the IRS.

“Potential victims may be told that they are entitled to big refunds, or that they owe money that must be paid immediately to the IRS,” the Power County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

If the scammers are unsuccessful the first time, sometimes they call back and threaten the potential victim with deportation, arrest, revoking of driver’s license or turning off utilities.

The Power County sheriff said scammers use fake, common names and IRS badge numbers to identify themselves. They may be able to recite the last four digits of your Social Security number. When they call you, you can hear background noises imitating a call center.

After they threaten their potential victim with jail or driver’s license revocation, they hang up and call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.

Earlier this month, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office also warned of the scam, and said these calls often come from a 202 area code.

Both agencies said they have gotten numerous reports of this scam.

The IRS contacts taxpayers through mail and never asks for financial information over the phone, they said. You can contact the IRS at (800) 829 1040.