BBB Issues Warning Over IRS Phone Scam
(CBS) -- It's one of the largest scams of its kind and victims are on the hook for more than a million dollars as con-artists pose as Internal Revenue Service agents.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports the calls come at all hours, recorded messages with different voices and different phony names, all urgently suggesting you call them back or else you owe back taxes.
"Don't try to disregard this message and to return the calls as soon as possible, before any legal action takes place," the message says.
Professional tax preparer Dawn Pellegrini from Aurora got two of the calls. She wasn't fooled but a client was.
"..Freaking out saying, 'Oh my God, the IRS called me, call them for me. I don't know what to do.' I reassured her. Don't worry – it's a scam," she said.
Steve Bernas of the Better Business Bureau says that, unfortunately, the scam is working.
"They fear they're going to take my driver's license away. They're going to deport me. I'm going to lose my job," Bernas said.
Those are some of the threats you'll hear if you call back. They may ask for cash to be sent through a special green dot credit card you'll have to buy.
At the very least, they'll ask for your Social Security number.
If you do call the scammers back, you really ought to think about this: If it really is the IRS on the phone, that is the one government agency that surely already has your Social Security number. Also, the IRS never contacts taxpayers for the first time on the phone. You'll get a letter.
