The Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department reports that it has received more than a dozen calls from county residents in the last two months who say that someone pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has called them, according to Matt Joski, Kewaunee County Sheriff.

During these calls, the caller states that the individual is delinquent on income taxes and must send money immediately to resolve the issue, Joski said.

“This is what is considered a seasonal scam, as many of us have just completed filing our annual income taxes,” Joski said.

He said that many times these callers will use cloned phone numbers to create an appearance of legitimacy. If a person sends them money or gives them credit card information over the phone or does anything else to pay them, it is very difficult for police to follow up and attempt to have the money returned, Joski said.

“It is important to note that no government agency will utilize a phone contact to address any legitimate issues which may exist, but rather will send a formal notice in the mail,” Joski said.

Joski said that if someone says they are calling from the IRS, those receiving the calls should hang up immediately.

If an individual feels that their accounts or identity have been compromised, contact local law enforcement as well as your financial institution immediately, Joski said.  He also asked that anyone receiving a phone call from someone pretending to be an IRS representative should report it immediately to the Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department at 920-388-3100.,

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Increase in IRS scams reported