WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Telephone scammers posing as tax collectors are trying to rip off U.S. taxpayers, including recent immigrants, Internal Revenue Service warned Friday.
Victims are told they owe the IRS money, and it must be paid promptly through a wire transfer or pre-loaded debit card.
The people targeted are threatened with arrest, deportation and suspension of business and driver's licenses if they do not comply, the IRS said in a statement.
"Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer," said acting IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.
The statement suggested anyone receiving a call claiming to be from the IRS and demanding immediate payment should report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Hotline -- 1-800-366-4484.
