OCALA, FL (352today.com)—IRS phone scams are always bad news, especially for those who don’t know what to look out for. If you’re not careful, you could lose money or personal information in the blink of an eye.

During tax season, it’s more prevalent than ever for scammers to call your cell phone and impersonate an IRS employee, claiming you owe taxes that demand immediate payment. This could lead to you giving away vital credit card information to a scammer—not a good combination.

The Ocala Police Department (OPD) has further echoed this development.

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“Sometimes, (scammers) lure you with fake offers, like a stimulus check, and direct you to a scam website to steal your social security number or banking details,” says OPD.

It’s important to understand that the IRS will typically contact you through a letter in the mail before contacting you over the phone.

OPD says the IRS will never:

  • Contact you or take payment on social media
  • Threaten to arrest, deport, or revoke your driver’s license
  • Accept gift cards or prepaid debit cards as payment
  • Leave pre-recorded voicemails (robocalls)

If you receive a suspicious call or text message, OPD suggests you:

  • Hang up immediately and do NOT click on any links
  • Do NOT share any personal or financial information
  • Report it to the IRS on their website

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