Haverhill Police Warn of Phony IRS Telephone Calls

(File photograph.)

Haverhill Police are warning residents of scam calls purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service.

Residents have been receiving phone calls from (202) 436-9603, with “Washington DC” showing on caller identification displays, or (501) 428-2489, said detective Captain Robert P. Pistone.

“The caller is telling citizens that there is a pending criminal investigation and that they need to pay fees immediately to avoid criminal prosecution. This same caller is also making automated recorded calls with the same info.,” Pistone said.

“The Haverhill Police would like to remind citizens that any phone calls from people claiming to be the  IRS are fraudulent, and that the IRS will send you official notification via the US mail for any correspondence. Citizens should hang up on the caller, and, if concerned about the authenticity of a call or notice, should call the IRS help line at (800) 829-1040,” he said.

Police also remind residents most calls requesting immediate payment without any prior written correspondence from utility companies or prize notifications that request some type of payment up front are usually scams. “Unfortunately these scam artists play on people’s emotions of either fear of being in trouble or the need to believe they are the recipient of good fortune, and usually don’t realize they have been scammed until it’s too late,” said Pistone.

If in doubt, residents may call may call Haverhill Police at (978) 373-1212.