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Officials warn Central Floridians about fake IRS calls demanding money

Tax season is still months away but con artists are already aggressively trying to fish their way into your bank account with an IRS scam.
Tax season is still months away but con artists are already aggressively trying to fish their way into your bank account with an IRS scam.
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Officials warn Central Floridians about fake IRS calls demanding money
Tax season is still months away but con artists are already aggressively trying to fish their way into your bank account with an Internal Revenue Service scam.WESH 2 has been receiving calls from Central Florida residents all week who said they have been getting fake phone calls from phony IRS agents.These callers demand money, threaten to sue the person they called or have the person they called arrested.The IRS has issued a warning about scammers earlier this year.Officials said callers may claim you owe money or have a refund due, but it's a trick to get you to share private information.The con artists can sound convincing. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling.In a statement IRS commissioner said: "We have formal processes in place for people with tax issues. The IRS respects taxpayer rights, and these angry, shake-down calls are not how we do business."These are some tips that will tip you off that the person on the other line is a fake.The IRS will never:Demand immediate payment or call you without sending notice by mail first.Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to appeal.Require you to use a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card.They won't ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.Top video: Dancing baby wows internetThe IRS will also never threaten to bring in local police to have you arrested for not paying. If you think you owe taxes call the IRS directly. If you've received these calls you can report it at IRS.gov.List: Top 10 scams to watch out for

Tax season is still months away but con artists are already aggressively trying to fish their way into your bank account with an Internal Revenue Service scam.

WESH 2 has been receiving calls from Central Florida residents all week who said they have been getting fake phone calls from phony IRS agents.

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These callers demand money, threaten to sue the person they called or have the person they called arrested.

The IRS has issued a warning about scammers earlier this year.

Officials said callers may claim you owe money or have a refund due, but it's a trick to get you to share private information.

The con artists can sound convincing. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling.

In a statement IRS commissioner said: "We have formal processes in place for people with tax issues. The IRS respects taxpayer rights, and these angry, shake-down calls are not how we do business."

These are some tips that will tip you off that the person on the other line is a fake.

The IRS will never:

  • Demand immediate payment or call you without sending notice by mail first.
  • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to appeal.
  • Require you to use a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card.
  • They won't ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Top video: Dancing baby wows internet

The IRS will also never threaten to bring in local police to have you arrested for not paying. If you think you owe taxes call the IRS directly. If you've received these calls you can report it at IRS.gov.

List: Top 10 scams to watch out for