AG Hill: IRS phone scams still prevalent even after tax season

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is asking Hoosiers to be cautious of scammers acting as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents over the phone, demanding money and threatening legal action.

Even after tax season has concluded, the Office of Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division (CPD) is still receiving complaints of IRS phone scams. Hoosiers are getting calls from unknown numbers claiming that the individual has not paid their taxes to the IRS.

Recently, a scammer even claimed to be from the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, according to a consumer who notified the office.

No one from the Office of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill ever calls consumers about money owed to the IRS nor threatens anyone with arrest.

As a reminder, 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 to have you arrested for not paying.

The Office of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill reminds all Hoosiers: If you don’t know the number calling your phone, don’t answer, and if you receive a call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent, hang up – especially if the person is demanding money and threatening legal action. Further, if the unknown caller leaves a voicemail claiming to be an IRS agent, do not call the number back. If you’re receiving these calls, you can contact the office and file a complaint or call 1-888-834-9969. You can reach the Consumer Protection Division by visiting IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.