Press Release:

May 21, 2016

As in years past, scammers are again targeting local resident’s phones and email as a source of information and revenue. Reports are being made in reference to the receipt of bogus IRS phone calls and refund emails. The emails are designed to look official and even have the IRS logo, which isn’t hard to find. They contain a link requesting the recipient to “Click here to deposit your tax refund directly to your bank account”.

The link will likely allow access to information on your computer, or take you to a fake bank site requesting your banking information. Don’t fall for it! When was the last time you were notified by the IRS that they had done your taxes for you and that, with no effort on your own part, they had thousands of dollars to give you? These are fake and should be deleted immediately!

The phone calls are again claiming to be representatives from the IRS and are completely fake. Hang up immediately. The IRS will send letters, not phone calls or e-mails. A few people, who have returned calls to the numbers, were answered by what sounded like a call center in India. This might work for some scams, but the I.R.S. likes to handle their own calls. If you get one of these calls, hang up immediately. They are just fishing! If you do get scammed by one of these calls or emails and lose money, contact your local law enforcement agency.