05-03-16 IRS telephone scam

Hawaiʻi Police Department
South Hilo Patrol
Lieutenant Alan Kimura
Phone: 961-2213

Media Release

Hawaiʻi Island police are warning the public about an IRS scam.

Residents have reported that they receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS who threatens a government lawsuit because they owe a large sum of money to the IRS. The potential victims are instructed to go to the bank and withdraw a large sum of money. One resident reported that the caller said he would then go to the house to collect the money.

Instructions from the official IRS website say that if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, you should:

  • Record the employee’s name, badge number, call back number and caller ID if available.
  • Call 1-800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee with a legitimate need to contact you.
  • If the person calling you is an IRS employee, call them back.
  • If not, report the incident to TIGTA and to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov (Subject: ‘IRS Phone Scam’)

For more information visit: www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing


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