Tax Phone Scams On The Rise As Filing Deadline Nears [Video]

Phone scammers are ramping up their activity as the federal tax filing deadline draws near. Officials with the Treasury Department are warning taxpayers to be on guard. Callers pretending to be IRS agents threaten jail unless immediate payment is made. The IRS reports more than 5,000 victims have been fleeced for more than 30 million dollars since 2013.  I received such a call in February, and told them to...I'm not going to use that kind of language here. They haven't called back. Timothy Camus with the Treasury Department told ABC, the IRS doesn't call out of the blue. They won't send emails requesting personal information, either. The first contact is by mail. He also states the first contact will not contain threats. Camus advises hanging up, and filing a report at www.tigta.gov.