The Vermont Attorney General’s Office is warning that thousands of Vermont consumers continue to report receipt of threatening recorded (robocall) phone calls from persons identifying themselves as IRS agents and threatening legal action if an alleged outstanding debt to the IRS is not immediately paid. The callers then direct the consumer to call a phone number and make immediate payment by credit card, wire transfer, or other direct means of payment. This is not the IRS calling – this is a scam.
Consumers should immediately hang up if they receive this call. These calls are coming from outside the United States. By using voice over internet services, the scammers are able to mask the number they are calling from and can make it appear that they are calling locally or from another state. Do not call the number back and do not engage with the caller.
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by phone, email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. This includes requests for PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
TheIRS websiteprovides information on IRS scams and outlines steps to take if a consumer has lost money in such a scam.
Again, if you receive this call, do no provide any information and do not send any money. Make note of the number, and any statements made by the caller, and file a complaint with the Vermont Attorney General’s Office Consumer Assistance Program. File a complaint online atwww.uvm.edu/consumeror contact the Program at 800-649-2424 or write to Consumer Assistance Program, 146 University Place, 103 Morrill Hall, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405.
Vermont AG: May 20, 2015