The Alabama Department of Revenue is warning state taxpayers of a new scam.

“Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating Alabama Department of Revenue or Department of Justice Investigators is just the most recent threat to taxpayers on an ever-growing list of phone scams,” said Frank Miles, spokesperson for the ADOR. “As is the case with this recent surge of phone scams reported to ADOR, scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it appear that ADOR is calling. However, taxpayers are reminded that if the Alabama Department of Revenue has a legitimate reason to make contact with them regarding taxes owed, then the department will do so by letter through the mail.”

ADOR will not call taxpayers and demand immediate payment via a debit card or credit card or threaten arrest for non-payment.

“There are many different kinds of phone scams, but essentially criminal callers, claiming to be representatives of ADOR, the IRS, the DOJ, or other government agencies, may threaten arrest or court action to trick taxpayers into making payments,” he said. “The scammers may even offer the promise of a huge refund. Don’t be fooled by these callers.”

As a reminder ADOR will not:

• Call to demand immediate payment, nor call about taxes owed without making multiple attempts to contact the taxpayer by mail;

• Demand that someone pay taxes without offering the opportunity to question or appeal the amount claimed to be owed;

• Require taxpayers to use a specific payment method for taxes, such as a prepaid debit card;

• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone;

• Require taxpayers to use a specific payment method for taxes, such as prepaid debit card;

• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; and,

• Threaten immediate arrest over the phone of taxpayers for not paying.

Miles said that those who get calls that include any of these or other attempts to force payment or solicit personally identifiable information should:

• Not give out any information;

• Hang up immediately; and,

• Call the Alabama Department of Revenue at 334-242-3012.