An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam has been making the rounds throughout Portage Co. This new phone scam has been targeting taxpayers, including elderly residents. According to the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office, they received well over two dozen complaints by early yesterday afternoon. Callers claim to be from the IRS. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and must pay it promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are threatened with arrest, or may claim there is a warrant issued for their arrest. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. Sometimes victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information. If the phone isn’t answered, the callers often leave an urgent callback request. Please note that the IRS will never contact you in this way by phone. Should you receive one of these calls, you are to hang up immediately. Do not call law enforcement unless you have given out your personal information. You can file a complaint to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov, subject “IRS Phone Scam” or call 800-366-4484.