Thieves targeting middle Georgia residents during tax season

“They tell them that they owe taxes and that there’s going to be a warrant issued for their arrest,” Kelvin Collins, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia, said. 

According to Collins, an IRS tax phone scam is starting to become the norm especially in middle Georgia. 

“Anytime that someone hears that they’re going to be arrested, that generates a little bit of fear in them,” Collins said. 

Reports from Jones County show residents receiving a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS telling them they owe money for back taxes. 

Scammers target victims who use these money pack cards. According to officials with the Better Business Bureau, they say crooks ask for small amounts of money first, and then over time the amounts become larger.

“They will continue to lead you on and let you think that they’re going to help you take care of this, and they’ll get you to either to wire transfer money to them, or get you to go and get a prepaid debit card and load money on to it,” Collins said. 

Collins says there have even been cases where the caller becomes aggressive — strong arming victims into transferring thousands of dollars. 

“Once they get the numbers off the back or once it’s wired transferred, it can’t be traced,” Collins said. 

If you get a call — experts want you to know this….

Thieves use fake names, IRS phones numbers, and social security numbers. 

Collins says it’s important to remain vigilant.

“If you owe the IRS, you’re going to get a letter in the mail. It’s going to be certified. You don’t have to sign for it,” Collins said.