Who calls from (614) 422-7575? Reported 15 times from Ohio

You're going about your day, maybe doing some chores or running errands, when your phone rings. You pick it up, and on the other end is someone claiming to be from the IRS. They sound official, mentioning your name and some details about your taxes. They tell you that you owe a significant amount of money and that if you don't pay it right away, you'll be in serious trouble.

The caller is pushy and creates a sense of urgency, saying that if you don't pay, you'll be arrested or your bank accounts will be frozen. They might even give you a fake badge number to make it seem more legitimate. The goal is to get you to act quickly, without thinking twice. They'll ask you to pay using gift cards, which is a major red flag.

For example, the scammer might say, 'You owe $5,000 in back taxes and if you don't pay it within the next hour, we'll send someone to arrest you.' They'll try to keep you on the phone, guiding you through the process of buying gift cards and reading them the numbers. Once they have that information, they can use it to make purchases or sell the cards.

So, what can you do if you receive a call like this? First, stay calm and don't let the scammer rush you into doing anything. The IRS will never call you out of the blue and demand payment in the form of gift cards. They'll typically send you a notice in the mail before contacting you by phone.

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Take a Step Back and Verify

If you're unsure about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and contact the IRS directly using a phone number you know is real, such as the one on their official website. You can also ask the caller for their name and badge number, and then call the IRS to verify their identity. If the caller refuses to provide this information or tells you that you can't verify their identity, it's likely a scam.

A real organization, like the IRS, will give you options for payment and won't demand that you use a specific method, such as gift cards. They'll also provide you with a clear explanation of the debt and give you time to pay it. If you're still unsure, you can always consult with a tax professional or financial advisor.

In the end, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If a call seems suspicious or too good (or bad) to be true, it probably is. Take your time, do your research, and don't let scammers push you into making a decision that could cost you thousands of dollars.

• Don't pay with gift cards or wire transfers, as these are difficult to track and recover.
• Verify the identity of the caller by contacting the organization directly.
• Be cautious of pushy or aggressive callers who try to create a sense of urgency.

A real organization would never try to rush you into paying a debt or demand that you use a specific payment method. They'll work with you to find a solution and provide you with clear information about the debt. So, if you're ever in doubt, just remember that it's always better to take your time and do your research.