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

Chief of Police Christopher Yates said on Facebook that “bad actors” are calling people and claiming to be “tax settlement mediators” or members of the IRS. The calls are usually prerecorded messages that give the recipients of these messages a number and extension to “settle a past debt.”

“Do not call this number back,” Yates said. “They will route you to a live operator who will try to get personal information from you. The IRS does not operate this way.”

Anyone who has questions on this type of scam can learn more by visiting the IRS website or by searching “IRS mediation scams” in internet search engines.

“These criminal organizations are despicable and would steal anything from anyone, especially those who are vulnerable,” Yates said. “Please spread this information to friends and family members who you feel could be at risk.”

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