State Warns Of Telephone Tax Scam

State authorities are warning Massachusetts residents about a nationwide phone scam that aggressively targets taxpayers.

The state attorney's general's office says it has received several complaints about the scam.

The scammer usually claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service or another government agency, and tells the target they will be arrested because they did not pay or did not correctly file state or federal taxes.

Victims are told they must settle the debt over the phone by providing a debit or credit card number or by wiring funds, to avoid arrest. If the victim refuses, the caller becomes hostile and abusive and threatens the victim with arrest or deportation.

The Better Business Bureau says thousands of calls have been made across the country with total losses around $1 million.