Charlatans pretending to represent the Internal Revenue Service have conned 4,600 people out of millions of dollars over the last two years nationally, and it remains a problem locally, according to law enforcement.

Doug Everhart recently received three automated phone calls that claimed the IRS was suing him. Each left a phone number for Everhart to call them back.

“I work part-time for H&R Block, so I knew this was shady and bogus,” said Everhart, a La Plata County resident. He knew the IRS would not cold call him, he said.

But not everyone is so savvy.

Since October 2013, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, which provides independent oversight of the IRS, estimates that imposters pretending to represent the government have collected more than $23 million.

Often, scams will try to scare people into sending them money or personal information.

But there are several tactics that give scams away. For example, the IRS will not call you to demand immediate payment, according to a statement.

The agency also will not ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone or threaten you. It also will not bring in police or other agencies to arrest you.

To report a scam, visit the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s website at www.tigta.gov or call (800) 366-4484.

mshinn@durangoherald.com