The West Fargo Police Department would like to notify the public of the following phone scams. There are text message and voice phone scams currently being perpetrated in the F-M area. Voice phone calls identifying themselves as West Fargo Police officials either asking for money to avoid arrest and directing people to obtain cash or wire funds electronically. Law Enforcement will not request funds be purchased from any retail outlet to be wired elsewhere, bond dollars are only requested once an arrest has been made, and would be collected at the jail. If you receive such phone calls or texts, have concerns that it is a legitimate call, or wish to verify the information being asked for, call your local law enforcement agency.
The West Fargo Police Department has received an increase in notification from residents regarding phone scams of various types targeting the F-M area. The con artists make unsolicited phone calls to individuals claiming to be an IRS official and caution the caller that they owe back taxes and threaten to have the individual arrested if they do not immediately settle the back taxes by sending cash or making a wire transfer. This is a fraud and residents are urged to never send money in these situations. The Internal Revenue Service provides the following guidance:
The IRS Will Never:
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 a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
- Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Call you about an unexpected refund.
For Taxpayers Who Don’t Owe Taxes or Don’t Think They Do:
- Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
- Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
For Those Who Owe Taxes or Think They Do:
- Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help.