IRS warns about aggressive phone scams

The deadline to file your taxes is Tuesday, and while you’re waiting on your refund criminals are chomping at the bit to bamboozle you out of your tax return.

The Internal Revenue Service sent a warning to the public about aggressive calls circulating during tax scam season.

“You will be taken under custody by local cops,” that was the opening sentence to a scam call I answered last week. “There are four serious allegations pressed on your name at this moment.”

The IRS warned that, while these calls can be alarming to answer, Kathy Pickering, H&R Block executive director, told ABC News they often press for odd forms of payment.

“The IRS would never ask you to put money on iTunes cards in order to pay off a debt,” Pickering said.

Criminals don’t just stop at calls: Social media, emails and regular mail scams are also out there.

Sometimes crooks try to coerce tax professionals, people with disabilities and those who are not native English speakers.

The IRS is never going to reach you for the first time about a tax debt via phone call,” said Pickering. “They’re going to send you a letter.”

But if you do owe the IRS money, it will accept a check.

The robo-voice on the scam call i picked up ended saying: “We would request you get back to us so that we can discuss matters of this case.”

If your phone rings, you answer and find it fishy, remember this piece of advice.

“If the IRS is calling – hang up,” said Pickering.