LEGAL NEWSLINE

LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning issued a consumer alert on Thursday warning Nebraskans to be aware of a fake Internal Revenue Service call scam targeting state residents.

The scam occurs when callers impersonate IRS agents and demand payment for taxes owed. The scam artist may also contact the victim using bogus follow-up emails.

If a victim does not quickly comply with the caller's demands, the scammers may make additional calls claiming to be a representative from the Department of Motor Vehicles or a member of law enforcement. The fraudsters may use spoofed caller IDs to back up their claims.

"My office has received 20 reports of this scam since January," Bruning said. "Calls may appear legitimate because the scammer has spoofed an IRS number for caller IDs. And, the caller often knows the last four digits of the victim's Social Security Number."

Victims have reported threats of arrest, deportation and driver's license suspension. Bruning said that Nebraskans should report any threats to local law enforcement.

Bruning reminded Nebraskans the IRS typically contacts individuals by mail about unpaid taxes and that the IRS will not ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS will also not involve immigration agencies or law enforcement in the collection process.