Official Warns of Holiday Scams

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is warning citizens to beware of a phone scam making its way across the state. Pruitt's office has received a number of complaints from citizens who received phone calls from someone claiming to be a representative of the IRS.

The caller claims the IRS has a case against an individual and if he or she did not contact the number given within 24 hours, that person would be arrested. This particular scam targets the most vulnerable Oklahomans who may not readily be aware of the IRS's procedures.

"It is beyond frustrating that scams like this continue to be rampant. Unfortunately, we typically see these types of scams spike during the holidays. While this is meant to be a season of celebration, Oklahomans should keep their guard up to protect themselves from such crimes," Pruitt said. "A simple tip you should always remember, the IRS will never call about a payment or taxes owed without sending it in writing first."

Here are some tips to protect you from these types of scams:

The IRS will always notify you in writing. They will never contact you by phone without first mailing a bill.

You will never be required to use a specific payment method.

Never give your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

You will not be threatened with being arrested by local law enforcement for not paying.

If you have been a victim of a scam, report the incident to local law enforcement and to the attorney general's office immediately. For more tips from the IRS you can visit their website at irs.gov.

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