MONTGOMERY, Sept. 28,
2016 – The Alabama Department of Revenue has received several complaints regarding
a phone scam targeting taxpayers. The callers claim to be ADOR employees who
are attempting to collect debts. These callers are NOT employees of the
Department of Revenue.
Victims who answer
these calls may be told they owe money to ADOR or to the state, and it must be
paid promptly, perhaps through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. The
criminals who make these calls can sound convincing and may use fake names and
other bogus ADOR identification methods. They may know a lot about their targets,
and they may alter the caller ID to make it look like ADOR is calling.
Victims who refuse
to cooperate may be threatened with arrest, deportation, or suspension of a
business or driver’s license. Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to
try to trick them into sharing private information. NEVER share your Social
Security number or other private information to someone who has called you in
this manner. These callers may become hostile or insulting to victims who do
not cooperate. Just hang up if this happens. Scammers often leave an “urgent”
callback request when their calls are not answered. Ignore these messages and
DO NOT call the number they leave.
Remember – the
Alabama Department of Revenue WILL NEVER:
·
Call a taxpayer to demand immediate payment
using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or
wire transfer. Generally, ADOR will contact taxpayers by mail to handle
official business.
·
Threaten to immediately bring in local police or
other law-enforcement groups to have a taxpayer arrested for not paying.
·
Demand that taxes be paid without giving the
taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount ADOR says is owed.
·
Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the
phone.
Stay alert!
Scammers continuously change tactics, and variations of these scams continue
year-round, peaking when scammers find prime opportunities to strike.
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___________________________________________________________
Media contact for more information:
ADOR
Communications/Publications Division
Frank.miles@revenue.alabama.gov
Amanda.collier@revenue.alabama.gov
Telephone:
334-242-1390; FAX: 334-242-0550
Website: http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/