Tax time is just around the corner and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue - in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service - is warning residents of a potential scam in which the criminals are posing as IRS agents.

The scam works like this:  Someone pretending to be an IRS agent calls taxpayers demanding immediate tax payments via debit cards or wire transfers and threatening arrest or other penalties.

Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Chandler reminds Wisconsin taxpayers that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) does not initiate taxpayer communications through email or request detailed personal information by phone or email.  Chandler says:

"We do not email or call you to request your social security number, PIN numbers, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts. Our policies are similar to the IRS policies.

If you owe taxes, DOR will have notified you by U.S. mail – not email or phone. DOR does not ask for payment via debit card or wire transfer. DOR does not ask you to provide a credit card number over the phone. And DOR never requests personal or financial information by text or social media."

If you believe that you have been the victim of this or other scams, you're asked to contact the police by calling 911.

 

 

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