Be aware of phone scams

From the Office of the Chief of Police, June 23, 2021:

You can avoid falling for an IRS scam if you know how to spot these scammers and their tricks, which starts with knowing how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) contacts taxpayers. Here is a list of things a tax scammer will do but the IRS will NEVER do.

The Ruidoso Police Department has received information from citizens that they have received calls that have been identified as potential IRS phone scams. In recent times, phone scams have become commonplace. Typically, the scammer starts by identifying themselves as an “IRS employee” and are calling because they say you have a warrant for your arrest. The “IRS employee” then asks for a social security number and questions you about banking information.

As the conversation progresses, the scammers will say things to make people fear they will be arrested and are victims of identity theft. Please do not fall prey to these scammers. Below is a list of tips to help avoid becoming a victim.

Tips to spot IRS Scams:

1. They’re calling you first. The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail first; it doesn’t initiate contact via a random phone call.

2. They’re leaving a prerecorded voice mail. The IRS doesn’t leave prerecorded, urgent or threatening voicemails.

3. They’re emailing you. The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. Do not reply to the message, open any attachments or click on any links. And note that the IRS’s website is IRS.gov — not IRS.com, IRS.net, IRS.org or some other bit after the period.

4. They’re texting you. The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by text message to request personal or financial information.

5. They’re contacting you via social media. The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers on social media channels to request personal or financial information.

6. The form they’re sending or referencing doesn’t appear on the IRS website. You can look up the names of IRS notices and letters on the IRS website. If the type of notice you received doesn’t show up on the list, it’s probably not legit.

7. They don’t know what an HSPD-12 card is. Real IRS agents have two forms of identification: a pocket commission and an HSPD-12 card. You have the right to see these credentials, and you can verify information on the HSPD-12 card by calling the IRS.

8. They’re asking for a credit card or debit card number over the phone. The IRS doesn’t do that.

9. They want you to pay only with gift cards, iTunes cards or prepaid debit cards. The IRS doesn’t use these methods for tax payments. The IRS mails paper bills to taxpayers who owe taxes, and payment should only ever be made out to the U.S. Treasury — not a collections agency or other entity.

10. They’re saying you’ll be arrested, deported, have your driver’s license revoked, etc. The IRS can’t revoke your driver’s license, business license or immigration status. In addition, the IRS and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights give you the opportunity to question or appeal what the IRS says you owe.