2 Local Residents Targeted In Fake IRS Employee Scam

FRANKLIN PARK (KDKA) -- Franklin Park Police Chief Donald Dorsch has seen scams hit the area before, but a national one that's now targeted two local residents is something new.

"With the tax season coming up, this is the first time we've heard of this with the IRS," Dorsch said. "They're coming through; they're trying to get information. They know what they're doing and they seem trusting."

Dorsch says in Wednesday's case and one last week, women who are both in their 60s got a call from a man with a foreign accent saying he was with the IRS.

The caller then says he'll arrest the victim unless money is paid. The caller asks for their bank account numbers, as well as credit and gift card numbers.

In one local case, one woman received a voicemail message asking for a return phone call.

In another local case, the victim used her smarts and realized the call was a scam hanging up on the caller.

Police say there are things you can do if you get a similar call:

Ask for a call back number and employee badge number.
Contact the IRS to verify if the call is from a legit employee with a reason to contact you.
If the person is a real IRS employee with a legitimate need to call you, then call them back.

Both police and IRS officials say keep your personal information close to the chest.

IRS officials say they would first notify you by mail if you owed money.

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Internal Revenue Service