Hundreds of Vermont consumers have received phone calls from people who are falsely identifying themselves as IRS agents, according to the Vermont Attorney General’s office.
The scammers threaten legal action if an alleged outstanding debt to the IRS is not paid immediately, according to a press release from the attorney general. The poseurs urge consumers to call a phone number and make an immediate payment by credit card or direct payment.
The scammers are phoning from outside the United States and using voice over internet services to mask the number they are calling from and make it appear as though it is from inside the country.
The Vermont Attorney General says consumers should hang up if they receive this call. They should not engage with the caller, and should not attempt to call the number back.
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by phone, email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information, including PIN numbers or passwords for credit cards and financial accounts.
To file a complaint with the Consumer Assistance Program, go to www.uvm.edu/consumer, call 800-649-2424 or write to the Consumer Assistance Program, 146 University Place, 103 Morrill Hall, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405.
