Overdue what, now?

Mama Bear does not come out very often over here, but today...

When my daughter's getting ready to go to work and someone calls her, opening with the words, "I noticed you had some overdue tax debts..."

Oh no. I have to identify myself when I call someone. So do you. And how would you know about any debts, anyway, tax or otherwise?

I took the phone; I asked them to repeat it. Then I told them I'd look it up online, thanked them, and hung up.

Thanking them is a reflex; it's been drilled into me to say thank you whenever someone has given me their time or attention or help. And it may not be the person speaking who's in charge over there; some call center workers are slaves.

I immediately looked up tax debt calls online: here's the lowdown. If you have not received any letters or physical documentation, hang up and notify the Treasury department.

From their website:
"If you do not owe taxes and/or never received a bill in the mail prior to the call, hang up immediately, then call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the incident at 1-800-366-4484."

My daughter laughed nervously and asked, “Am I about to be scammed?” I told her, “You never give anyone information over the phone. You ask them to send you documentation, and you hang up.”