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Kammy, there's a truly vicious new scam where a "robocall" message supposedly from the IRS is left on your phone stating that you are in arrears in your taxes and that the IRS is going to file a lawsuit against you, have you arrested, etc., if you don't call back immediately and make arrangements. If you call back, you'll end up speaking with someone with a pronounced Indian or Pakistani accent (hence the scam's nickname of the "Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Scam") who will give you a generic name such as John Smith, etc. They will hang up several times to get the victim to call back in order to confirm the number they're calling from, and will claim they are putting you on hold when they are actually muting the call and listening to your background conversation to see if you're on to them.

Beware- If the caller knows it's a scam and harasses or strings them along, they have been known to use a tactic called "SWATting"- they call local law enforcement based on the victim's Area Code and tell the police that a violent crime is happening at your address. Police arrive, often with a tactical team, wasting law enforcement resources and putting the innocent victim in harm's way.

If you receive one of these calls the best thing to do is block it and don't respond- the IRS never calls you if you owe taxes except as a last resort. They do not sue you or have you arrested, either.

If you have any doubts about the validity of ANY unsolicited phone call, look up the number yourself and call back the alleged agency.