FTC warns of fake I.R.S. tax collection scams

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is reminding citizen to be wary of several phone scams announced by the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC warns of fake I.R.S. collectors who call and claim you owe taxes. The scammers demand a prepaid credit card, wire transfer, or credit card information. The scammers usually threaten to arrest or deport citizens. The FTC says the I.R.S. never calls about unpaid taxes, correspondence is always done by postal mail. Scammers also use fake caller ID information showing they are the I.R.S.

To avoid being scammed by fake I.R.S. collectors never give out any personal or account information. Never wire money to a person or company you don't know. If you've already paid your taxes, call the I.R.S. at 1-800-366-4484.

If you think you've been scammed, leave a complaint wit hthe FTC at ftc.gov/complaint

Scammers are also targeting America's Spanish speaking population. The FTC warns of products advertised on Spanish-language television commercials like weight loss belts, English-language courses, cell phones from Hispanic Global Way. Several products have been found to be defective or not as advertised.

Thousands of victims have lost money thanks to these scams.