NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman warned consumers on Thursday about a scam in which New Jersey residents received phone calls from scam artists pretending to be U.S. Internal Revenue Service representatives.
Hoffman's Division of Consumer Affairs said the scammers threaten consumers, claiming the call recipients will face jail time or other penalties unless they immediately pay back taxes. The scam may be a form of phishing in which the con artists attempt to obtain a victim's personal information, including credit card numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security Numbers or other sensitive data.
The scam artists may also attempt to direct victims to send money through a wire transfer or a pre-loaded debit card.
Hoffman's Division of Consumer Affairs received approximately 12 complaints from New Jerseyans who received the scam calls in recent weeks.
New Jersey residents who think they were cheated or scammed by a business or suspect some other form of consumer abuse may file a complaint with Hoffman's Division of Consumer Affairs through the division's website or by calling the office. Consumers may also file a complaint with their local police department and report the incident to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.
N.J. AG warns of scammers pretending to be IRS agents
