By Moses Leos III
A Kyle area retiree was the target of a national phone scam that involves individuals claiming to work for the Internal Revenue Service.
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when Pattie Kolasinski, who lives in Sunset Ridge, received an automated message from someone claiming they were from the IRS.
According to Kolasinski, the automated voice message claimed it was from the IRS reclamation department and left a number to call back. Kolasinski said the message informed her to “check with a lawyer.”
That number was 415-234-9740.
Kolasinski called the number, and at 9:30 a.m., got in touch with a man who also claimed he was with the IRS. That man said she owed $12,000 in back taxes and that she needed to pay over the phone. The scammer threatened that “the sheriff was coming” and that she was going to be processed.
The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call regarding taxes owed without mailed correspondence.
In addition, the IRS does not ask for specific payment, or threaten to involve law enforcement.
The moment was confusing for Kolasinski, who said she never received any letters regarding back taxes. She said she obtains outside help for her taxes. In addition, she said the individual changed amounts during the call.
“You usually get letters and [written] notification [from the IRS],” Kolasinski said. “I have someone that does my taxes every year. Everything was on the up-and-up.”
Upon refusing to pay, and claiming the call was a scam, the individual said to get a lawyer and hung up.
According to IRS spokesperson Lea Crusberg, phone scams involving people claiming to be from the IRS have been ongoing for two years. She said they are taking place all over the country.
According to Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett, this type of scam is the first of its kind in the Kyle area. Earlier this year, Kyle Police and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office dealt with phone scams from people claiming to be warrant officers collecting payment.
Barnett said many scammers use out-of-state area codes, which are forwarded to countries outside of the United States.
He said signs to look out for are inconsistent information during the call. In addition, legitimate agencies will provide phone numbers that can be verified online.
“We ask people to use common sense and to not share information with anyone on an unsolicited phone call,” Barnett said.
Anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS asking for money are asked to call the Kyle Police Department at 512-268-3232.
In addition, people can report incidents to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484.
