In spite of alerts, the fake calls persist

Law enforcement has issued warnings to be cautious, yet telephone calls by individuals who purport to represent the IRS continue. The situation frustrates tax professionals and puts a scare into taxpayers who pick up the phone. The caller will say the taxpayer owes money and the police are on the way. They request checks immediately be written or gift cards mailed. But tax preparer Helen Westmoreland urges the public to be careful. If you suspect, you are the victim of one of these fake IRS calls, you are urged to contact law enforcement or your tax preparer. Westmoreland says her office in Seneca was able to stop two of their clients who came close to sending money. “We had one person come in our office while talking to the caller on her cell phone; when my staff got on the phone with them and started asking the caller questions they hung up on us.”