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Call from ‘IRS’ makes Tredyffrin cops wonder if they can arrest themselves

The department found itself to be among the latest targets of a scam that has cost thousands of people millions of dollars.

This April 13, 2014 file photo shows the headquarters of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Washington.
This April 13, 2014 file photo shows the headquarters of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Washington.Read moreAP

Tredyffrin Township police apparently could not stop laughing after receiving a robo call Thursday, warning they faced arrest for serious IRS violations.

"Well, this is awkward," the department tweeted. "Apparently the 'IRS' has ' four serious allegations' against us, and the local cops may be coming to take us 'under' custody soon.

"Wait,

"We ARE the local cops."

But, as they noted, the department had just become the latest targets of a running scam that, the IRS says, has cost thousands of people millions of dollars.

So Tredyffrin police took to Twitter and Facebook to post a recording of the call with running commentary ("Wait would we turn ourselves into ourselves? We're confused.") as an object lesson.

"If they'll try to scam us, they won't think twice about trying to scam you! Don't fall for it!"

The IRS says it will not call to demand payment of taxes and generally sends a bill. It also does not threaten to have local police arrest anyone.