03/25/2016

EMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE

OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, CALLERS POSING AS IRS EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN CALLING EMERY COUNTY RESIDENTS CLAIMING THAT THEY OWE THE IRS MONEY.
THE CALLER TYPICALLY STATES, “THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED A LEGAL PETITION AGAINST YOUR NAME CONCERNING A TAX EVASION AND TAX FRAUD.” THE SUPPOSED IRS AGENT THEN INSISTS PAYMENT OF BACK TAXES, REQUESTING CREDIT CARD INFORMATION AND, IN SOME CASES THREATENING TO HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR NOT PAYING.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALERT THE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND TO NOT FALL PREY TO THOSE WHO WANT TO VICTIMIZE US. THE IRS PHONE SCAMS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING FOR YEARS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE MORE FREQUENT DURING TAX-FILING SEASON.

Below are 5 red flags to be aware of – – actions that the Internal Revenue Service would never employ when contacting a citizen about their taxes:

• Call you regarding owed taxes without first mailing you an official notice.
• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount the IRS claims you owe.
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or send money via wire transfer.
• 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.

WHAT TO DO:
IF YOU GET A CALL SIMILAR TO THIS, CONTACT THE IRS ONLINE. ALSO CONTACT THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BY CALLING 801-530-6701 OR BY VISITING THEIR WEBSITE.