With Tax time approaching, Folsom police are warning residents of scammers using fake caller ID to appear to be from the IRS.  

According to a warning from the Department of Treasury, callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe back taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license.

Treasury Inspector General J. Russell George urged taxpayers to heed warnings about the sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, noting that the scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every State in the country.  The IRS also not ask for payment over the phone, or for pre-paid debit cards or wire transfers.  

If residents get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s what to do:

• If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
• If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to TIGTA at 800-366-4484.
• You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments in your complaint.