Montgomery County is warning residents to stay alert for scams as tax season ramps up, noting that scammers often use this time of year to target people with fake IRS messages and threats.
In this week’s “Montgomery Update,” officials said criminals frequently pose as the IRS, reaching out by phone, email, or text with claims about tax refunds, unpaid balances, or urgent account issues. These messages are designed to pressure victims into quickly sharing personal information or sending money.
Scammers often rely on fear, especially by telling victims they owe back taxes or face serious consequences. In reality, the IRS does not contact people this way. Officials emphasized that the IRS will not call to threaten arrest or demand immediate payment, and they will never request payment through wire transfers or prepaid cards.
Residents are encouraged to be cautious of common scam tactics, including phone calls claiming unpaid taxes, fake refund notifications sent by email or text, requests to verify personal or payroll information, and threats involving Social Security numbers.
If you receive a suspicious message, the county advises not to engage. Instead, hang up and contact the IRS directly using the official number at 1-800-829-1040. You can also check your IRS account online to confirm whether any legitimate notices or balances exist.
Officials stress that you should never trust a phone number or contact information provided by the caller, as scammers often use spoofed numbers to appear legitimate.
