The Internal Revenue Service is warning students and parents about a phone scam making the rounds as families get ready to send their kids back to school.

The IRS says the scammers are demanding payment for non-existent taxes like a "Federal Student Tax" and are asking people to wire the money immediately. If the caller doesn't comply, the IRS says, the scammers then threaten to report them to the police.

The IRS says they would never call you and demand an immediate payment. They say you would be mailed a notice if you owe any taxes.

If you receive a call like this you can call (800) 366-4484 to report it. You may also report the action to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

As of last week, the IRS had received more than 90,000 complaints about such calls.

TIGTA has identified about 1,100 victims who have lost an estimated $5 million from these scams.

The IRS goes on to say they never ask for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS says they do not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.

IRS Warns about Phone Scams
IRS Warns about Phone Scams
loading...

 

More From KQCL Power 96