Police warn of fake IRS and toll scams

PARAGOULD, Ark. (KAIT) -Law enforcement is warning residents about a wave of scams making the rounds.

Paragould Police Capt. Jason Elms said two scams in particular are hitting the area right now.

One involves fake IRS notices demanding immediate payment.

The other claims you owe money for an unpaid toll and asks you to click a link to settle it.

Elms said both follow the same playbook: create urgency and get you to hand over money or personal information before you think twice.

“Anytime you get a bill that you don’t recognize and it’s saying that you owe money and if you’ll just click on this link, you can get it taken care of and settled, more than likely it’s a scam,” Elms said.

In both cases, scammers pressure victims to act fast, sometimes asking for bank routing numbers, account numbers or Social Security information to verify the debt.

Elms said no legitimate agency will ever ask for that information over the phone or through a link.

“When they start asking you to validate and give your social security and give your bank routing number and your account number, that ought to be a red flag right there automatically. The IRS is not going to call and ask for your bank routing number,” Elms said.

Police say one of the biggest mistakes victims make is giving out personal information before verifying who they are talking to.

If something looks suspicious, Elms said don’t pay it and don’t click anything. Call your local police department first.

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