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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Eagles' RC air show returning for 38th year ... 2 Hermiston coaches dead in apparent murder-suicide; teen's body found ... Man allegedly used mirror to look up shopper's skirt ... Rogue Eagles' RC air show returning for 38th year ... 2 Hermiston coaches dead in apparent murder-suicide; teen's body found ... Man allegedly used mirror to look up shopper's skirt ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Increase seen in tax payment phone scams Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Seems like there's a new phone scam every month. I got one asking me to make tax payments using a gift card. Do you know anything about this? — Brian R., Medford According to www.irs.gov , phone scams have increased, and scammers are changing their tactics. Previously calls came from a live person. Now people are receiving "robo-calls" leaving an urgent message to call back and settle a "tax bill." When a victim returns the call, "the scammers may threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the driver’s license of the victim if they don’t agree to pay." In the most current trend, scammers are demanding payment on iTunes or other gift cards. Putting money on any type of gift card to settle a tax payment is a scam, according to the IRS. Some other scams include asking for payment for a "Federal Student Tax," pretending to be someone from the tax-preparation industry and "verifying" tax return information over the phone. Also be aware that the IRS will never call to request payment over the phone, threaten to bring in local law enforcement if you do not send payment, ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or require you to use a certain method for payment, such as a gift card. The best advice is to not give out any information and hang up. You can also report the call to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501