OCPD warns of IRS phone scam

A local police department is warning residents about an increase in IRS scam calls.

Ocean City Police say they have seen more reports of scams, where the caller claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service, and demands payment for unpaid taxes. The caller also apparently threatens the recipient with arrest, if they don’t hand over the money.

“These callers are con artists and sound very convincing,” commented Captain Mike Colbert of the Criminal Investigation Division. “They may know specific details about the victim and typically alter the caller ID to make it seem as if the IRS is calling. The callers typically also use false IRS identification badge numbers.”

Police say they are reminding residents that the IRS won’t demand immediate payment, and typically won’t call about tax issues without first having mailed a bill. The IRS will also reportedly not involve local police departments, or have people arrested for missed payments.

Those who believe that a call is a scammer, should hang up immediately. Those who believe they owe taxes, should contact the IRS to make sure it is a real IRS employee on the phone.