SAN ANTONIO – Dozens of people are accused of running a massive IRS phone scam. U.S. victims have lost millions of dollars, and police in India have raided call centers, so far arresting 70 people and questioning 600 more.
Lattie Sidney got one of those phone calls, which ring up threats and fear.
“I was so frightened and scared. I just did what they said,” Sidney said.
Sidney said she was so scared that she paid more than $5,000 in gift cards. She is among the 742 victims in Texas alone who were taken by this scam. So far, impersonators have stolen $44 million from U.S. taxpayers.
“Within the next hour, they will be at your doorstep to handcuff and arrest you,” one impersonator told a victim of the phone.
As October 15 approaches, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Office is hearing about a spike in these calls.
“I think it’s more because of the deadline that’s coming up for the extension,” said Alejandra Sanchez, with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Office.
The IRS also warns of fake emails containing an IRS bill related to the Affordable Care Act. It includes a fake CP2000 form attachment. The IRS does not email those forms. It will only send them through regular mail.
The IRS said fake forms ask people to make checks out to the IRS, but the real ones ask people to make checks out to the United States Treasure Department.
People should delete unsolicited emails and hang up calls they are unsure about and contact the IRS directly.