County Warns Of IRS Phone Scams

County Executive Ed Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter are urging citizens to be vigilant when receiving telephone solicitations or emails from people identifying themselves as employees of the Internal Revenue Service.

The Nassau County Police Department says that individuals are receiving calls from people claiming that they or a family member owe money for unpaid taxes. Individuals are contacted by scammers claiming that they are federal employees, and tell the individuals that they owe money. These victims are told they can avoid arrest, foreclosure, suspension or termination of services if they make payment. The IRS does not, and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.

Other characteristics of this scam may include:

•Scammers using fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.

•Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s social security number.

•Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.

•Scammers sometimes send fake IRS emails to victims to support their calls.

•Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.

•After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or Department of Motor Vehicles, and the caller ID supports their claim.

Residents should also be aware that there are other unrelated scams such as a lottery sweepstakes, and solicitations such as debt relief that the department sees from time to time. These scams cost honest citizens thousands of unrecoverable dollars.

This information is being provided to residents to aware them of these ongoing scams. If you believe you may have been a victim, please call 911 immediately.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible are asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244- 8477. All calls remain anonymous.

—Submitted by the Nassau County Police Department