DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Danville Police Department is warning the public of a new scam they’ve become aware of.

Police Chief Christopher Yates warned on Facebook about fraudsters pretending to be “tax settlement mediators” or IRS representatives. These scammers typically leave prerecorded messages, instructing recipients to call back to resolve “past debts.”

“Do not return these calls,” Yates advised. “You’ll be connected to an operator who aims to extract your personal information. The IRS does not conduct business in this manner.”

For those seeking further information on these scams, visiting the IRS website or searching “IRS mediation scams” online can be helpful.

“These criminal groups are unscrupulous and will rob anyone, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals,” Yates noted. “Share this alert with friends and family who might be susceptible.”

Yates added that a good rule to follow is that if something appears to be questionable, it is most likely a scam.