The scam phone call came earlier this week.

Margaret Roberts picked up the phone and listened to the recorded message.

The recorded voice stated it was from the IRS, that the federal agency had a pending lawsuit against her and that she should return the call.

Roberts did. She told the person on the other end that the Internal Revenue Service doesn’t contact people by phone. She then hung up.

“This is a phone scam,” Roberts said. “The IRS doesn’t call. It sends letters.”

Many Nevada County residents have received similar calls recently, posting about them on Facebook and contacting authorities with their concerns.

Sheriff Keith Royal said scam artists will claim that police will arrest someone who fails to pay. They’ll also ask for personal information over the phone.

Royal advises people to never hand over that information.

“Just hang up,” he added. “Don’t talk to them.”

To contact Staff Writer Alan Riquelmy, email ariquelmy@theunion.com or call 530-477-4239.