BBB Warns Of IRS Scam - Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

This scam reports losses around one million dollars. 

The BBB began to hear from North Texas consumers last week about this scam. They reported receiving voicemail messages stating they need to contact the IRS immediately or they would face legal consequences. Other messages threatened arrest by U.S. Marshals for failure to pay the correct amount of taxes.

According to the IRS, the agency never contacts taxpayers by phone requesting money. They also never contact taxpayers by email. If there is an issue with the IRS that requires your response, the contact would be made by U.S. mail.

BBB recommends the following tips if you receive one of these scam phone calls:

· Hang Up - Don't provide any information over the phone. Call the IRS directly using the phone number found on irs.gov.

· Protect Personal Information - In response to an incoming call, never give out any personal or financial information such as your Social Security number, financial information or any passwords and other identifying information.

· IRS Contacts via U.S. Mail - If a caller claiming to be an IRS agent notifies you of an outstanding tax debt, but you haven't received official notification from the IRS through the United States Postal Service, it is most likely a scam. The IRS always starts by sending taxpayers written notification of any tax due via U.S. Mail.

· Look Out for Spoofing - Part of scammers' sophisticated tactics include 'spoofing,' which happens when the caller masks their own number and causes the number of a well-known organizations, like the IRS, to appear on caller ID.