Vestal Police are warning residents about a scam where someone claiming to be from the IRS is calling homes and threatening legal action concerning tax filings in an effort to get money.

Investigators say the scammer typically alters their phone number so it appears they are calling from the IRS or a Washington DC exchange and tells the would-be victim they have been audited and owe money.

The Police remind the public that the IRS does not call taxpayers. Taxpayers are contacted by regular mail first and the real IRS does not demand immediate payment, that taxes be paid without the chance to appeal, require a specific payment method like a pre-paid debit card, ask for credit or debit card information or threaten police action.

To report a scam, call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov.  If an email is received, supposedly from the IRS, do not open it.  Forward it to www.phishing@irs.gov.

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