ROCKPORT — Chief John Horvath and the Rockport Police Department are warning residents of a recurring phone scam in Massachusetts and Connecticut in which aggressive callers claim that potential victims owe money to the International Revenue Service (IRS) and demand they pay immediately through a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.
“We want to proactively warn the community and make it very clear that this is a scam. Residents should never give money to anyone over the phone who claims to be an IRS agent,” Chief Horvath said. “If you receive a call like this or know anyone who has received a similar call, hang up and immediately call the police department.”
According to police, these “agents” tell potential victims that while doing a tax audit, they found that the person has underpaid and owes money to the IRS. Some callers threatened to file lawsuits or told potential victims that a lawsuit had already been filed against them. In nearly all cases, once the victim gives away a pre-paid debit card number or makes a wire transfer, the money is gone forever.
The Rockport Police Department strongly urges residents to NEVER purchase pre-paid debit cards to give to a caller, and to NEVER send a wire transfer to someone you do not know.
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