Scam Alert: Department warns of potential phone payment scam

Scam Alert!

The Minnesota Department of Revenue is warning customers about a phone scammer that claims to be from the Department of Revenue and demands immediate payments over the phone. The scammers tell customers they owe the state money and must pay it immediately by credit card or money order, or the police will be sent to their home.

The department never calls customers demanding immediate payment or threatens to send the police to a customer's home.

Here are four things a scammer may do, but the department does not:

• Call you about your balance due without contacting you by mail first.
• Demand payments without contacting you by mail first. 
• Require that you provide payment information over the phone. The department has several payment options available and will not demand payment over the phone.
• Threaten to send the police or law enforcement.  

If you are concerned about a potentially fraudulent call or email from someone who represents themselves as being from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, please contact: 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094. An authorized Minnesota Department of Revenue staff member will be able to determine if the contact you received was legitimate.

Use caution and NEVER provide personal information, including credit card information, unless you are absolutely sure the situation is legitimate.

Learn more about frauds and tax scams and how to report suspicious calls or messages you may have received by visiting our website. 

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