FALLS TOWNSHIP -- Several law enforcement agencies are warning about calls from scammers. These callers claim to be from the Internal Revenue Service and they threaten to sue people or throw them in jail if they don't pay up.
The voice heard on the phone is usually automated.
"An arrest warrant will be issued against you immediately," warns a digital voice of a man.
Those behind the calls are scammers, and bullies, threatening that if you don`t call back, and arrange to pay, you`re in trouble.
"The reason to inform you for this call is that IRS is filing lawsuits against you," is the message a local woman had on her phone.
"It sounds very legitimate," said Carol Jonas of Falls, who received a message on her answering machine last month. "They`re saying it's from the IRS and it's an automated phone call like you would get from other places."
"My husband got totally excited and was ready to send the money," added Jonas who admits she too, thought there was a small chance the call was legitimate.
Deputy Pennsylvania Attorney General Thomas Cummings says the callers are tough, "They are being so aggressive and threatening, that you think, 'I should act before something happens'."
Cummings calls the bogus IRS messages the state`s most common phone scam.
And the IRS reports more than 250,000 people nationwide complained of receiving these calls last year. 3,000 admit they fell for the scam.
The average victim lost more than $4,600.
"We`re getting a lot of calls because it's filing season, tax season," said Cummings.
Action 16 Investigative Reporter Dave Bohman called the numbers from some of the messages left on local answering machines.
The first number was disconnected.
A second number was answered by a man with a foreign accent, who claimed he was with the IRS.
When Action 16 asked to record his conversation, he hung up.
At the Falls Active Adult center in Wyoming County, Carol Jonas played the message for her friends.
"People I know would have heard it and they would have sent money," said Terri Fitting of Tunkhannock.
"These people are very clever at what they do, and they make you believe what they are saying," added Jeanette Martin of Falls.
"The IRS is a big deal," said Carol Jonas. "You don`t want to lose your house or anything else."
The Internal Revenue Service says the agency does not contact people who owe tax money by phone, but instead by registered mail.
And authorities can only warn us about these threatening calls.
The IRS says these scammers are believed to be in Eastern Europe or Asia, far beyond the reach of the US government.
If you want to find out if you actually do owe money to the IRS, or have questions about these messages, you can call them toll-free at 1-800-829-1040.
