BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden warned Idahoans on Thursday about threatening phone calls made by scam artists posing as agents of the IRS.
The scammers have called Idahoans to tell them that officers of the law will take legal action or lethal action if the individual fails to pay back taxes from the previous five years. The callers demand payment by wire transfers, prepaid debit cards or credit cards. The phone numbers provided by the alleged IRS agent are answered by an individual identifying themselves as a special agent.
"When a member of my staff called the telephone number seeking additional information, the 'special agent' promptly hung up when she identified herself as working for the Idaho attorney general's office," Wasden said. "The IRS has warned citizens concerning these types of scams. However, this is the first time we have heard of a threat of lethal action."
This IRS does not call people and demand payment by credit cards or wire transfers. The calls are from scammers trying to steal taxpayers' money.
"The IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission do not call Idahoans threatening them with harm, and citizens who receive these types of calls should hang up immediately," Wasden said.
Individuals seeking more information about owing federal back taxes can contact the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Office. Idahoans can request information on state back taxes from the Idaho State Tax Commission.
Idaho AG warns of IRS scam
