The Pullman Police Department received reports of individuals impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigators and attempting to scam people over the telephone, according to a press release from the PPD.

The release stated the impersonators call intended victims and tell them they owe taxes that must be paid through a wire transfer or pre-paid debit card. The victims are often told they will be arrested or deported if they don’t pay, or that they will lose their business or driver’s license.

The scammers will generally use common names with fake IRS badge numbers and make the caller ID look like the IRS is calling, according to the release. The release also stated the real IRS usually contacts people first by mail rather than by phone and will not ask for payments to be made with a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.

The impersonators can be persistent, even making a second call claiming to be police or the DMV as well as sending fake IRS emails to the victim to support the façade, according to the release. The impersonators often know the last four digits of the intended victim’s Social Security number.

The release advised anyone who thinks they might owe federal taxes to contact the IRS if they receive a call from someone claiming to be an IRS investigator.

According to the release, people should be alert for phone calls and emails using the IRS name and keep in mind the real IRS will not request personal or financial information by email, texting or social media. If somebody believes they have been targeted by a scam like this, they are advised to report it to police.

Reporting by Dennis Farrell