As the tax season of 2024 progresses in California, numerous law enforcement agencies are alerting citizens about potential scammers seeking to exploit taxpayers. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has advised the public that the IRS will not accept prepaid gift cards for tax payments and does not request personal information via phone.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) highlights that such scams are fairly common, often involving threats of arrest or fines. In Turlock, the local police department has received reports from residents about fraudulent calls by individuals impersonating police officers. These callers falsely claim that the recipients have outstanding warrants or owe money to the IRS. The scammers have even manipulated caller ID to appear as if the call is originating from the police department.
Beware of Callers Impersonating Officers and IRS Officials
The Turlock Police Department reminds the community that they do not solicit money over the phone, confirm existing warrants, or ask for personal details. Meanwhile, the BBB warns of another variation of this scam, where fraudsters claim the IRS is issuing tax refunds and request personal information for processing, which could be used for identity theft. This method is also used to target college students with a fictitious “federal student tax.”
For comprehensive guidance on recognizing and avoiding scams, visit the provided link.
Additionally, the BBB advises vigilance against tactics such as:
- Fraudulent use of badge numbers and names
- Caller IDs indicating origins from Washington, D.C., or Ottawa
- Emails bearing the IRS logo as a follow-up to scam calls
- Persuasive and formal-sounding automated calls.
