Scammers are working the phones in the Northwoods claiming to be from the IRS and wanting you to pay up or else. The Vilas County Sheriff's Department says do not give out personal information and simply hang up.
Callers claim to be from the IRS. Victims are told they owe money and it must be paid through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. The caller ID is made to look like it is the IRS.
IRS officials say they will never make contact with citizens this way.
A Harshaw resident this week received one of these scam calls. Phil Hejtmanek says he came home to find a message on his answering machine. He says the voice sounded a bit machine-like claiming to be the IRS....
"....we're going to be filing a lawsuit against you at some phone number. At the time I had a recollection of hearing something about the IRS scam and certainly the IRS is not going to just call and leave a message. It's one of those things you hope people don't fall for it because it's so obvious but if it catches you by surprise and they make it sound like it's a dire emergency that you call them to save yourself from a lawsuit...."
If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an urgent call back request. Phil didn't call back.
Law enforcement officials say never give personal information over the phone. If you have questions, contact local law enforcement or go to the IRS website. We have a linkhere.
