The Sheriff’s Office is warning SLO County residents, especially the elderly, about the return of the ol’ IRS scam.
“The Sheriff’s Office has received eight to 10 reports just today [Jan. 7] from people who say they received a phone call from someone who identifies themselves as a representative of the IRS,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla in a news release. “The caller proceeds to tell them they owe money to the IRS and they must pay promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer, or they could face jail time.”
These scammers have the nerve to become belligerent with their marks. “In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting,” Cipolla said. “And they are especially aggressive. They may call back, even if you hang up on them.”
In case readers have never had dealings with the IRS, “You should know, the IRS will NEVER call to demand immediate payment; demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; [or] threaten to bring in law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.”
