Police warn about phone scams after multiple complaints

After receiving a string of complaints from residents who recently received phone calls from subjects fraudulently claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service and demanding money, the Southold Town Police Department issued a press release Thursday to warn residents about the phone scam.

In these instances, the callers demand “immediate payment of back taxes” to the IRS and give instructions on where to send payments, which police say is a red flag.

“The caller then gives instructions on paying their bogus tax bill by a prepaid debit card or wire transfer and may also threaten the homeowner with arrest,” the release states.

Police also provided the following tips:

• The IRS will not call you to demand immediate payment.

• The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.

• The IRS will not demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount owed.

• The IRS will not ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• The IRS will not threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.

• When receiving a call of this nature, do not give out any information and hang up immediately.

Any residents who receive similar phone calls are asked to report them to Southold Police at (631) 765-2600. Residents may also contact police to verify the identity of callers if they are suspicious.