Full Notification

SCAM ALERT!

VPD Dispatch has received several calls from concerned Valdez residents who are receiving fraudulent phone calls from someone claiming to represent the "IRS". With each of the cases reported this week, a caller accuses the citizen of owing money and threatens with arrest and other negative consequences if the citizen fails to take immediate action. Other residents have reported automated messaging stating that the IRS is taking them to court and demands an immediate response. These scams have also been reported in other municipals across the state.

According to information published by the Internal Revenue Service, contact with taxpayers will NOT be in the form of an unexpected phone call. Instead, initial contact will be made through official correspondence sent through the mail. It is also important to remember that the IRS will not initiate contact with taxpayers via electronic channels (including email, text messaging, and social media) to request personal or financial information.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself from falling victim to this type of fraud, or to file a complaint, visit http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/

For more information about this and other scams involving the IRS, visit www.irs.gov or http://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/IRS-repeats-warning-about-phone-scams.

Please report all fraudulent electronic communication to the Valdez Police Department's Cyber Crime Unit so we may best serve our community in keeping our citizens informed of these schemes- 907-835-4560.