Did you know that Virginia has ranked in the top 10 states for tax scam phone calls? As we move into tax season, Ashland Police Department (APD) wants to remind residents that scammers call thousands of people this time of year in an attempt to obtain potential victims’ personal information and money.
These scams usually involve telling victims that they owe tax money and that they will be arrested if they don’t pay the amount due immediately, usually over the phone with a pre-paid debit card or, increasingly, with cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.
Remember: The IRS and other government agencies do not call people and demand payment over the phone. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a government official demanding money or personal information and are concerned, please call (804) 365-6140 and ask to speak with an officer to verify before providing any information or money.