Detention Scam & IRS Scam

Detention Scam

Please beware if you are contacted about reporting to the Wake County Detention Center for failure to appear for jury duty and are told to bring gift cards. You should immediately end the call and block the caller or email sender. Wake County Courts would never communicate with you in this manner and would never request gift cards.

IRS Scam

Please beware of callers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who threaten to have you arrested or deported for owing taxes. Do not be tricked – even if you do owe taxes, the IRS will never:

  • Call and demand immediate payment over the phone;
  • Demand payment with a prepaid debit card, or ask for your credit card or debit card number over the phone; or
  • Threaten to call the police or immigration authorities.

If you get a call like this, report it online to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or call 800-366-4484. Also, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
​To learn more about tax scams, watch this video and read this IRS Tax Tip Sheet. If you think you owe taxes, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and they may help you arrange a payment plan.

Visit uscis.gov/avoidscams for more information on common scams targeting immigrants.