It’s not even tax time. Nevertheless, I received a call a few days ago — on my cell phone — with this automated message:

“This is a call from the tax audit department of Internal Revenue Service. This is to let you know that we received a legal petition notice concerning tax fraud or evasion against your name. Before this matter goes to the federal claim, kindly call us on this number (360) 550-9784.”

Unimpressive. First clue: The awkward and redundant verbiage that made a limp word salad of the Internal Revenue Code. Two, the IRS never uses phone calls to notify taxpayers of audits or fraud. They write letters instead; legal actions rely on evidence, so the IRS puts notices in writing. Not to mention the fact that I’ve never given my cell number to the IRS.

This is a scam, and a rather old one. If you get a call like this, don’t call back, and certainly don’t give out your Social Security number or other identifying information to any caller whose identity, and need, you haven’t verified.

The IRS continues to be plagued with such poseurs who lure frightened taxpayers into offering their identities and money on a silver platter. Sadly it’s proved to be a lucrative crime; 896,000 such contacts were reported (most don’t report) between October 2013 and February 2016, with more than $26 million paid out by victims.

Be wary if you get an out-of-the-blue call, email, or automated message from someone who claims to be from the IRS. They can be intimidating, threatening legal action unless you pay money immediately. They can be exciting, promising a refund if you give bank account information or Social Security numbers. Don’t fall for it. Straight from IRS.gov:

“The real IRS will NOT:

• Call to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending a bill in the mail.

• Demand tax payment without allowing questioning or appeal of the amount owed.

• Require that you pay taxes a certain way, such as with a prepaid debit card.

• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies for an arrest, license revocation, etc.

• Threaten a lawsuit unless you provide information or act immediately.”

What to do if it happens to you? Note the date and details, and report calls to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration on the short form at Treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml (if no internet access, try the public library and ask a librarian’s help). Note: When I reported using this link, the form did ask me for my contact information. The IRS advises also reporting it to the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov, noting “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your report.

If it’s an email, don’t reply or open attachments. Forward it to phishing@irs.gov, then delete it.

If you think you may actually owe taxes and you get a call from a person (as opposed to a machine), the IRS advises giving no information. Instead ask for a call-back number and employee badge number. Then call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 to find out what’s really happening. IRS employees are trained to offer this information, so any resistance is a giant red flag.

In Thursday’s column: The Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Yes, we do have them.

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Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.