MI State Police warns western U.P. residents of phone scam

Michigan State Police troopers from the Wakefield Post want western Upper Peninsula residents to know about a phone scam making its way around the region.

The callers claim to be IRS agents and say that the person they’re calling owes back taxes. Troopers say the callers are aggressive and threaten to arrest the intended victim if he or she doesn’t follow their instructions. The scammers are also said to have Middle Eastern accents and speak English poorly.

Police say this is not how the IRS or any reputable organization would conduct business. They recommend not giving out any personal information over the phone, especially Social Security numbers or bank account numbers. Troopers are asking anyone that has received calls like this to contact the nearest law enforcement agency.