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With the tax filing season now upon us, the Cambridge Police wants its residents and businesses to be aware of an increasingly prevalent phone scam.
Last week, the Cambridge Police Department received a report of its first IRS scam of the year after a Harvard Street resident was contacted by an unknown suspect claiming to be with the IRS. The scammer threatened the victim and stated that they would be arrested by the Sheriff’s Office for tax evasion. Fortunately, the victim did not comply with the request.
More people are falling victim to this big criminal business. According to the Treasury Department, more than 5,000 people have been victimized by IRS phone scams since October 2013 and it has cost victims more than $26.5 million. The Treasury Department has previously reminded people that the IRS sends letters and does not call taxpayers.
The Cambridge Police strongly advises residents to be wary of any unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees. Taxpayers are also urged to not provide personal information to people whose identities they can not confirm.
The Treasury Department suggests that any taxpayers who are contacted by phone scammers fill out an "IRS impersonation scam" form on the Treasury inspector general website, https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml. You are also encouraged to contact the Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300.
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