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The PSA advises all citizens to be very skeptical of all unsolicited phone calls and emails from people claiming to be IRS employees.
The police said in a news release that the scam is one of the largest ever. The police warn, “the callers are aggressive, relentless and ruthless. Once they have your attention they will say anything to con you out of your hard earned money.”
Citizens should protect themselves, the police warn, by not engaging these callers at all: simply hang up. The PSA also warns about specific tactics the scammers might try.
- Callers may say you owe taxes and must pay using a wire transfer or prepaid debit card.
- Callers may threaten immediate arrest; an arrest warrant; deportation; or the loss of your business or driver's license.
- The callers may even know four digits of your social security number; this doesn't mean they're legitimate IRS employees.
- They may send a bogus email, that looks like it's from the IRS. Don't open any attachments or click on any links in such emails. The IRS always sends bills through the mail.
- They may even use a manipulated caller ID, so the call appears to be from the IRS.
- Scammers may also call a second or third time, claiming to be the police or even the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If citizens receive such calls, the police advise forwarding scam emails here, calling the IRS at 800-366-4484 or reporting the impersonation scam here. Citizens can also file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission.
The IRS will never request personal or financial information by email, text or any social media. Information about other types of scams can be found on the IRS website.
For more information, contact Lt. George Barletta at the Eastchester Police Department at 40 Mill Rd. by emailing or calling 914-771-3359.Click here to follow Daily Voice Eastchester and receive free news updates.
