Numerous phone calls are coming into the PCSO communications center regarding an aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting Plumas County taxpayers. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer.
If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request.
The IRS will NOT: • Call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail. • Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe. • Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card. • Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone. • Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.
If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do: • Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately. • Contact TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Adminsitration) to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484. • Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax: • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you.
Thank You
Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center
