FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2017
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – This afternoon, Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a Scam Alert in response to a new scam hitting New Mexico that threatens a ‘criminal lawsuit’ by the IRS if the caller’s message is not returned. The digitized voice in the recording claims to be Officer Edward Jonathon calling from the legal department of the Internal Revenue Service and leaves a call back number along with his threats. Scams of this nature are meant to intimidate and trick New Mexicans into giving up their personal and financial information to the scammers.
“Now that tax season is upon us, New Mexicans must be especially diligent to protect themselves against the influx of IRS scams hitting the state,” said Attorney General Balderas. “If you receive a recording or call claiming to be from the IRS, do not be fooled and hang up the phone immediately. The IRS will contact you by U.S. Mail and will not demand personal and financial information from you over the phone.
Regardless of who a caller claims to work for, never give out your personal or financial information over the phone.” Reported calls are coming from Texas number 1-469-565-0447 and Florida number 1-786-605-1337, but they could appear as other numbers as well on your caller ID. If you receive a scam call please report it to the Office of the Attorney General by calling toll free 1-844-255-9210.
Click here to hear the audio sample of the scam
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