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St. Augustine Beach police warns citizens to beware of scammers pretending to be from the IRS

The St. Augustine Beach Police Department is putting out a new warning about scammers using tax time to steal money.

The scammers are pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Victims are being told over the phone they owe money to the IRS and they need to pay it immediately.

It’s a sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers and St. Augustine Beach Police Department Cmdr. James Parker said people need to be on alert.

“If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is,” said Parker.

He said it takes one easy step to get rid of a person on the phone claiming to be from the IRS.

“What we are telling people is don’t talk to them, just hang up,” said Parker.

Many of the scammers are known for making threats and becoming hostile and insulting to the victim. Parker said if you think you might owe taxes, then you need to call the IRS or visit their website.

If you don't owe taxes and you get a phone call claiming you do, Parker said report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or the Federal Trade Commission. The IRS also does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.