An IRS telephone scam is targeting local residents much like a law enforcement telephone scam that Sheriff Steve Prator warned citizens about on Tuesday.

In the IRS scam, the caller passes themselves off as an IRS agent and states that if you don’t send them money by Green Dot card or give your bank account information you will be put in jail.  Some victims are told a lawsuit will be filed against them if they do not pay immediately.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Prator warned citizens about a caller who impersonates a deputy and claims to have an arrest warrant for the person receiving the call. The imposter says to send money by Green Dot or Money Gram to stay out of jail.

Prator said when you receive a call like this, “the best thing to do is just hang up. If you feel a need to confirm any information you can contact the IRS or law enforcement agency on your own. Don’t trust any information or call back numbers the caller provides.”

The IRS will never: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you receive such a call and have questions, contact the Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force at 681-0770.