Stonington police warn residents of widespread IRS scam
Stonington — Police are warning residents of an IRS phone scam which prompted more than 25 phone calls to police from concerned residents on Thursday.
Police sent out email and phone alerts Thursday afternoon about an “aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers that has been making the rounds throughout the area.”
Capt Todd Olson said the callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not.
Victims are then told they owe money to the IRS and must pay promptly.
Those who refuse to cooperate are threatened with arrest or suspension of a business or driver’s license.
Olson said that in many cases the caller “becomes hostile and insulting.”
If a resident does not answer the phone, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request.
Olson urged residents to disregard the calls, saying the IRS will never call someone about taxes or demand immediate payment without first having contacted them by mail.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.