IRS, jury duty scam calls reported in Franklin County

The advent of tax season has brought an influx of scam calls to the area, officials say.

Hampton Police Department Cpt. Mark Morrison said the department has fielded several reports of threatening calls in the name of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Calls demand immediate payment for unpaid taxes and failure to comply will result in arrest. Morrison said a caller requires the potential victim to pay via a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.

Amounts usually amount to several hundred dollars. Morrison said anyone receiving these calls will notice immediate red flags that signal a scam.

“The IRS will typically mail notices at first, they will not call,” Morrison said. “You will know if you have unpaid taxes to begin with.

Read the full story in the February 1 edition.