The Canyon County Sheriff's Office has a warning concerning the latest IRS Scam.

The Sheriff’s Office took a complaint on the scam today in which a victim fell prey to the scammer and ended up wiring money to a predetermined account. This scam is not new but subtle changes have been made to make it appear legitimate.

Here’s how the scam works: A scammer calls stating they are from a government agency, in this case the IRS. If the call is answered, the scammer tells the victim they are in violation of a Federal Statute and unless payment is made within a short time frame, there will be a warrant issued for their arrest. The victim is then given instructions to get cash from the closest ATM and they are given instructions on how and where to deposit/send the money.

Understandably, people are intimidated by the threat of arrest on Federal charges and that is how they become victims of this scam. The scammers may sound legitimate by using credible sources and they attempt to victimize by playing on emotions.

If you receive a call or message threatening arrest for not paying taxes or other violations of Federal Statutes, the Sheriff’s office urges you to not return the call. Government agencies do not make this type of call. Also, if you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency to report it.

The Better Business Bureau and IRS are both good sources of information on how to deal with and avoid these types of scams. Additional information and tips can be found by visiting their websites at www.bbb.org or www.irs.gov

More From Idaho’s Talk Station