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ISP issues statewide alert on IRS ‘Spoof’ scam calls

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) – Indiana State Police are reporting what they call “Spoof” scam calls have occurred in Evansville in the last 24 hours.

According to ISP, they were notified that a phone call from the number 812-867-2079 was identifying himself as a police officer. The call said that the victim owed money to the International Revenue Service and that if they didn’t pay he would be arrested.

ISP said that they would never call about unpaid taxes.

TechTarget says that ID spoofing allows callers to pose as someone else by falsifying the number that shows up on a caller ID. They say it is similar to email spoofing.

ISP is reminding people the IRS will never do the following items:

  • Call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
  • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
  • Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
  • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  • Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you have been a victim or get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS call the IRS at 1800-829-1040.