The tax deadline of April 15 is fast approaching, so many people most likely are scrambling to file their returns in time. However, there’s something they also should keep in mind: the possibility of an Internal Revenue Service scam.

Marquette City Police have been seeing a recent surge in scams involving the IRS. In fact, Det. Lt. Mike Kohler said 10 IRS scams reported in the last month or two are probably the most he’s ever seen involving a single type of scam.

Scammers often try to frighten people by threatening them with arrest if they don’t pay. The IRS, though, doesn’t operate this way. It also doesn’t require people to use specific payment methods such as prepaid debit cards or ask for debit or credit card information over the telephone. Again, the IRS doesn’t have those requirements.

According to the IRS, it will mail a notice first, plus it won’t demand payment without providing an opportunity to appeal or question the amount believed to be owed.

As with other scams, vulnerable segments of the population are targeted, such as the elderly, newly arrived immigrants or people whose primary language isn’t English.

Other reports during the tax season come from people who tried to file their taxes, but discovered they already had been filed.

It’s understandable people who still are preparing their taxes for 2014 might be in a panic. However, an oft-repeated recommendation is to not give sensitive financial information over the phone, even if taxes are owed. It’s better to wait and work out details with the IRS at another time.

People who are targeted by IRS scammers can help stem the problem by reporting an incident to the Treasury Inspector General at 800-366-4484 or at the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting Page. They also can contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov and include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

Staying vigilant during tax season is always a good idea, perhaps now more than ever.