Many islanders have been reaching out to The Beachcomber and island accountants about an IRS phone scam that has been circulating as tax time looms.

The scam begins with a caller claiming to be from the IRS or the U.S. Treasury Department. The caller tells victims they owe the government money and must pay it immediately by credit card, pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. Victims are told that if they do not pay, they will be arrested by police who are on their way to the home.

Island accountant Joyce Olson said that several of her clients have been called recently and have come to her for advice.

One island victim reported that the phone call started with the caller stating that he was their grandson and he was in trouble. When the victim asked the caller to name some family members, the caller hung up only to call again and give the IRS scenario.

Authorities have warned victims not to be fooled by caller ID as scammers spoof the IRS number to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.

Another islander reported that when he tried to call the number on his caller ID back, he was rerouted endlessly.

A KING 5 story earlier this month reported that the caller tends to use hostility or insults to sway the potential victim and may even be able to recite the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security number.

The King County Sheriff’s Office and the IRS have reported multiple times that the IRS will never ask for credit card numbers over the phone and will never request pre-paid debit card or wire transfers. The IRS will typically make contact via mail.

Those who receive these calls should hang up and call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484 or file a report online.

Victims of this scam  should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use FTC Complaint Assistant at FTC.gov.