but in fact, senator chuck shummer calls them bottom crawlers. >> the scammers demand the money be wired right away. they make it seem like there's going to be some federal agent to knock at your door and arrest you unless you do. >> reporter: while it didn't work on valerie or george, thousands of others have now rushed to pay, coughing up nearly $30 million. the aar p today warning people, keep this in mind. >> the irs is not going to call you and ask you to give them a credit card or a debit card over the phone. >> reporter: as for wal-mart, right now they do have small warning signs like these. senator schumer wants to this instead. give people a verbal warning. >> they can say that's a scam. don't send the money. we're going to check into it. you're okay. >> reporter: best advice? stay calm, no matter how upsetting it seems. >> they make you feel, you know, like you really did something wrong and then you start to think, did i do something? did i not pay something and you start to wonder. >> reporter: like you're going to go to jail? >> yes, yes. >> reporter: because of that fear so