THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION WARNS CONSUMERS TO BE ON ALERT FOR SWINDLERS WHO MAKE UNSOLICITED PHONE CALLS CLAIMING TO REPRESENT THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.  ONCE SCAMMERS HAVE UNSUSPECTING CONSUMERS ON THE PHONE, THEY MAY THREATEN LEGAL ACTION UNLESS THEY RECEIVE PAYMENT OR PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM, FOLLOW SOME SIMPLE TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF.  SCAMMERS MAKE UNSOLICITED CALLS AND CON VICTIMS INTO SENDING MONEY, USUALLY THROUGH A PREPAID DEBIT CARD OR WIRE TRANSFER.  CALLERS TRY TO SCARE VICTIMS BY USING THREATS OF ARREST OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES TO INTIMIDATE THEM INTO PAYING.  SCAMMERS OFTEN USE CALLER I-D SPOOFING, OR ALTERING THE CALLER I-D TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THE IRS OR ANOTHER AGENCY IS CALLING, TO MAKE THE CALL SOUND OFFICIAL.  KEEP IN MIND, THE IRS WILL NEVER CALL YOU TO DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT.  IF YOU OWE TAXES, THEY WILL FIRST SEND YOU A BILL IN THE MAIL.  THE IRS WILL NEVER DEMAND YOU PAY TAXES WITHOUT ALLOWING YOU TO QUESTION OR APPEAL THE AMOUNT YOU OWE.  THE AGENCY WILL ALSO NEVER ASK FOR YOUR CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD NUMBERS OVER THE PHONE OR THREATEN TO BRING IN POLICE OR OTHER AGENCIES TO ARREST YOU FOR NOT PAYING.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TAX SCAMS AND CONSUMER ALERTS, VISIT THE WEBSITE IRS.GOV.