My answering machine received a robot-call this morning claiming to be from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and threatening to freeze my bank accounts if I did not call them back, it was my “last warning” or something like that and they left a call back number.

These calls are fake, they are just looking for a sucker; the IRS does not work like that, if you hear that message on an answering machine do not pick up or just hang up if you have answered. Do not press any buttons and do not speak to anyone – just hang up.

This and other scams use cash cards, wire transfers, and similar methods to steal your money and here is how it works: They will direct you to pay them by buying a cash card of some type and give them the number over the phone or doing a wire transfer. They will withdraw the funds at the other end within a few minutes and you will never get the money back.

Remember do not buy anything over the phone or pay for anything unless you called the known merchant FIRST. Even then, make sure you know who you are dealing with before using a credit card. If possible, NEVER use cash cards or wire transfers for any transactions, they are generally untraceable which is an invitation to steal.

One last thing: warn your friends and relatives.