The Blotter

The Times' criminal justice team looks behind the scenes and behind the headlines.

March 21, 2009 9:07 AM

Phone scam targeting Washington businesses

The state department of Revenue is warning that scammers posing as Revenue employees are calling businesses and directing them to a bogus international phone number and charging them for the call.

The automated phone calls state that the Department of Revenue has been trying to reach the business about its tax account and to call 1-800-431-4028. When the taxpayer calls that number, another recording prompts them to call 1015158000 and pay a charge of $5.49 plus undisclosed administrative fees. A 101 number indicates an international call.

"This is just a scam to mislead callers into paying a phone charge," Revenue Director Cindi Holmstrom said in a news release. "Don't fall for it."

She noted that the department does call businesses that fall behind on filing their state excise tax returns and leaves a nearly identical callback number of 1-800-631-4028. Businesses calling the Revenue number will never be redirected to a second number that charges a fee. The department also operates a toll-free telephone assistance number, 1-800-647-7706.

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