SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls man is out nearly $20,000 in an IRS phone scam.
Officer Sam Clemens says the caller told the 65-year-old victim that an arrest warrant would be issued for him if he didn't pay.
Clemens says the caller was threatening and pushy, telling the victim he could avoid arrest by paying $19,500 in iTunes gift cards.
Clemens says the victim withdrew cash from his bank accounts and got more money from his credit card, bought the iTunes cards and called the scammer back. He then gave the bad guy the numbers over the phone.
Clemens says he's not sure that investigators will be able to track the suspect down. He says this scam is a variation of similar scams with re-loadable credit cards or debit cards numbers or transfering money.
He says the IRS does not conduct business over the phone, the agency sends correspondence by mail. The agency is not going to have people arrested, doesn't take payment over the phone and they don't take iTunes gift cards.
The scammer first told the victim he had to come to New York with a lawyer and settle with the IRS.