Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne is warning Arizona residents to be cautious of telephone scam artists posing as IRS employees.

They are calling consumers stating that a tax debt is owed and to pay immediately. The scam artists are also threatening jail time or arrest if payment is not made.

“These scammers have become increasingly aggressive over the last few months,” Horne said. “Consumers should always be cautious about providing payment information over the phone, especially to someone who is threatening them to get the information.”

The IRS will provide written notice of any tax due via the U.S. mail – not by phone. The IRS does not ask for credit card, debit card, or pre-paid card information over the phone.

If you have received one of these calls or do so in the future, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-382-4357 or ftc.gov.