Port Vue police warn of IRS scam

Port Vue police are warning of a phone scam that's been reported by several borough residents.

The callers reportedly have foreign accents and identify themselves IRS collection agents.

“I've handled four calls in the past 10 days,” police Lt. David J. Petruski said Thursday. “Who knows how many are not being reported?”

Petruski said the callers have foreign accents and are threatening lawsuits on people who don't pay outstanding tax bills. In addition, he said the callers have threatened to send the police after the call recipients.

Some of the calls have been identified as coming from California, Washington and Minnesota, but Petruski said they could be coming from anywhere.

Petruski said the calls are bogus.

“The IRS won't call you,” he said. “All their correspondence is done by mail.”

Petruski said anyone who receives a suspicious call should copy the caller identification information if it is available and then contact police. Don't give the caller any information, Petruski said.

“Don't answer if they call back,” Petruski added.

Petruski said any borough resident who has received such a call can contact him at 412-672-2255, ext. 11.

Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1966, or eslagle@tribweb.com.