Caddo Parish residents are being warned about a phone scam involving a caller who impersonates an IRS agent, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

 “We’ve received a number of calls from citizens who report they were contacted by someone claiming to be with the IRS, and that person has threatened to have them arrested if they didn’t pay up,” Prator said.

The IRS will not demand money over the phone, the Sheriff said. The message describes a pending lawsuit against them for back taxes and that the consumer will be arrested or face further legal action if they do not pay immediately.

 If you receive a call, “You don’t need to say anything. Just hang up. Never provide personal information over the phone,” Prator said. “And remember, the IRS will never threaten to send the police to your door to collect taxes.”