Duluth Police Warn of IRS Scam

The Duluth Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam with people calling and claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service and scamming money. 

Police say they have received several phone calls and Facebook messages in relation to the scam. 

Authorities anticipate an increase in these calls closer to tax time. 

If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be with the IRS, you are urged to just hang up the phone. 

Police remind the public of the following: 

-The IRS does not call people by phone, or contact you by email or social media threatening legal action.  They will send you a letter information you that you owe money and how to go about resolving the issue

-The IRS will not demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe

-The IRS will not require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card or wire transfer

-The IRS will will not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone

-The IRS will not demand immediate payment or threaten to bring in local law enforcement to have you arrested if you do not pay

Police say unless you have suffered a financial loss, you do not need to contact 911 to report the calls. 

They also urge you to never send money upon the request of someone over the phone or by email.