For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Saugus Police Warn Residents of IRS Scam Involving Police Impersonators

SAUGUS — Chief Domenic DiMella and the Saugus Police Department are warning residents of an IRS scam involving an individual impersonating law enforcement officers and threatening victims with arrest for non-payment of taxes.

Saugus Police have received two reports from residents who stated that they received calls from an unknown individual spoofing the department’s business phone number, 781-233-1740. The callers subsequently threatened residents with arrest if they did not immediately pay back taxes owed to the IRS.

The calls were accompanied by text messages also appearing to come from Saugus Police that demanded payment in the form of a prepaid debit card.

“Our officers will never call or text a resident regarding their state or federal taxes, and anyone who claims to represent the police in doing so is a scammer,” Chief DiMella said. “I encourage anyone who is contacted in this manner to immediately hang up and call us directly.”

To avoid becoming a victim of an IRS scam, residents are encouraged to remember the following:

• The IRS first contacts people by mail — not by phone — about unpaid taxes.
• The IRS will not ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card, a money order or wire transfer.
• The IRS also will not ask for a credit card number over the phone.
• The IRS never requests personal or financial information by email, text or social media.

If you receive a call from an IRS scammer, hang up. Do not engage with these callers.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, or if you think you may owe money, hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

If you get a scam call and do not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation scam” form online at treasury.gov, or call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.

The IRS also advises residents to forward scam emails to phishing@irs.gov, and to not open any attachments or click on any links in those emails.

If you are ever unsure about a potential scam, contact the Saugus Police Department at 781-233-1740.

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