COLDWATER, MI It’s tax season and that means the scammers are back with the Branch County Sheriff’s Department one of the agencies reporting a number recent complaints about the perpetrators that try to convince victims on the phone that they are the IRS, that they are owed back taxes and if the victims don’t pay right now, they are going to jail.
The callerss either want the money paid using Western Union or a prepaid card. Authorities say that’s the tip off it’s not for real. IRS Spokesman Luis Garcia says they do almost all of their business by mail.
Garcia says the callers have IRS on their phone ID and can be extremely intimidating and convincing. They may follow up with a phony call claiming to be from the local police, or the immigration service to convince you it’s real.
Local police agencies are reporting a rash of complaints about the calls, from folks who know enough to avoid the trap.
