CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A Clarksville man recently lost $3,000 when he fell victim to a scammer claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Clarksville police said the scammer called the victim and told him he had a warrant for his arrest because he owed money to the IRS. The victim also received a call from someone claiming to be from the Clarksville Police Department, who “verified” the warrant.
The man bought several Google gift cards worth $3,000 and provided the gift card numbers to the caller.
The Clarksville Police Department wants to remind the public never to give money to anyone over the phone, especially if the caller asks for payment in gift card form. This is the sign of a scam.
ABOUT IRS SCAMS:
According to the Legal Aid Society, private debt collectors are subject to the Federal Fair Debt Collection Laws, which prohibit direct payments to the collection agency. Never send a private tax collector any checks or money orders.
If you are going to pay all or a portion of your tax debt, make the check payable to the “United States Treasury” and mail it to the IRS, not the private debt collector.
Here are some indications that you are speaking with a legitimate private tax collector:
1. You have received a letter from the IRS asking you to pay back taxes.
2. You know that you owe the IRS back taxes.
3. The IRS will not demand immediate payment.
4. The IRS will offer an installment plan in certain circumstances.
5. If you are in doubt about whether the call is legitimate, you can call the IRS at
800-829-1040 for help.