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This is what happened when an IRS scammer called Gwinnett police

They identified themselves as officers, gave their badge numbers and threatened to send officers to the 911 operator's house to arrest her.

These calls are not new. Police issue warnings for them all of the time. Someone calls saying they're the IRS needing to collect money they say you owe. The callers are aggressive, convincing and it's all a scam.

One of these callers dialed the non-emergency number for the Gwinnett County Police Department 911 Center. According to police, "The automated voice came on telling the 911 call-taker that she needed to call the IRS immediately."

She called the number back and the scammer tells the 911 operator that she owes $5,000 in back taxes and other fees. The scammer told the operator that she needed to resolve the issue within the next hour or the sheriff’s office would arrest her.

Hear the exchange here.

In Gwinnett County, scammers are even using the police and sheriff's department's names to convince people to pay.

In January a Lilburn resident was scammed out of $500 with a similar scam. A couple of days later, a Lawrenceville woman was scammed out of $900.

"The caller will tell the victim that there are either active warrants for their arrest or overdue fines. Next, the caller will convince the victim that in order to erase their warrant or fine, the victim must drive to a local grocery or convenience store, load a large sum of money on a money card, and then give the access codes to the caller," Gwinnett said in a release.

Gwinnett police said law enforcement officers will never demand payment over the phone via a Green Dot Card.

The IRS released a list of things they do not do.

  • Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
  • Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
  • Demand payment without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
  • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

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