Weld County, CO – Residents are being warned to stay alert this tax season after a Weld County woman was reportedly defrauded out of $2,000 in an IRS impersonation scam, according to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
According to WCSO, the victim reported she was contacted by a man claiming to work for Discover Credit Card. The caller allegedly told her she needed to immediately withdraw cash and deposit it into a bitcoin machine to avoid Internal Revenue Service (IRS) fines and back taxes. Authorities say the scammer’s phone call disconnected several times during the conversation — a common red flag in fraud cases — before the victim ultimately lost $2,000.
With tax season approaching, law enforcement officials say these scams tend to increase as criminals prey on fear and urgency. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises that IRS scammers often demand immediate payment or insist victims pay using prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cashier’s checks, or cryptocurrency.
Officials emphasized that the IRS does not operate this way. According to the IRS and FTC, the agency typically contacts taxpayers first by mail. The IRS may only email or text someone if the individual has given prior permission. The agency will also never demand payment through bitcoin or other cryptocurrency, threaten arrest via automated phone calls, or direct taxpayers to non-IRS websites.
Residents who receive an official IRS notice are encouraged to verify it by searching the notice or letter number on the official IRS website at IRS.gov. Legitimate notices include a CP or LTR number located in the upper right corner of the letter.
Authorities urge anyone who believes they have been targeted by an IRS scam to report it to the FTC and local law enforcement immediately.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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