Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies in the region are warning residents that criminals are still pretending to be from the IRS, well past tax season, in order to intimidate people into parting with money or personal information.

 

The IRS does not contact people by phone or email concerning tax refund or owed tax issues.

 

Police say common scams involve threatening calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS, telling the would-be victim they owe back taxes and their case in being put into litigation unless the person calls a number and provides financial information while another claims a person has a refund coming but they need to send money to get their money, purchase a pre-paid debit card or, again, provide bank and identification information.

 

Complaints can be filed with the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.

 

If you really do owe taxes, or think you may, you can call the IRS yourself at 1-800-829-1040 for help in working out the payment issue.

 

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