State government agency warns taxpayers it's being spoofed

ATLANTA — University of Georgia student Amanda Delaperriere got a phone call from an Atlanta number while she was interning at the state Capitol that she describes as frightening. She said the caller knew her name, but she had no idea who he was.

“He was like, ‘You did not pay your University of Georgia student tax,’” Amanda told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus. “‘You can pay it now or else local police are going to come after you.’”

Delaperriere said she was skeptical; she doubted the tax was real. The college junior explains she asked questions, the caller shouted, and she hung up. She Googled the number, which she said was “the really weird part.” It was the Georgia Department of Revenue’s line. %

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Officials there say crooks are using their number to deceive and intimidate. The top investigator, Josh Waites, says the callers are nearly impossible to find.

“They could be anywhere in the world so that does make our job difficult,” said Waites. “They’ll want you to do things that are out of the ordinary. They want you to go get money and put it on cards at a Western Union or have the money wired somewhere.”

Commissioner Lynne Riley says her office sends letters to communicate and only calls when solicited.

“I would say ‘Shame on you. There’s got to be better ways for you to use your time,'” Riley said. She advises taxpayers, “Do not be intimidated, and do not fall victim. Protect your identity at all times. Never share sensitive information.”

Delaperriere hopes people learn from her experience.

“It really upset me,” she said.

If you get a similar call, Riley advises you hang up immediately, avoid sharing any sensitive information and notify the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Cox Media Group