OC Sheriff’s Office warning about IRS Scams

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office continues to receive complaints from residents about IRS scams. A recent complaint involved a resident receiving an automated call informing the complainant that they were with the IRS and they needed the complainant to call them back. The complainant did not return the call, however, the complainant received another automated call from someone claiming to be from the IRS stating that the complainant was in violation with their taxes and unless they called back to resolve the matter, an arrest warrant would be issued and the local law enforcement agency would arrest the complainant. The complainant did not return the second call either. Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt offers this advice when dealing with scams. “As we have stated in previous e-mail’s, the Internal Revenue Service will not call anyone in regards to back taxes that may be owed. They will contact you via mail if that is the case. If someone calls from a number you do not recognize, do not answer the call, even if it appears to be from a local number, as this could open you up to receive more scam calls.” If you have received one of these IRS scam calls, you should contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040 or the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. As with all scams, it is always a good idea to educate yourself and others about how not to become a victim.