IRS Scam Continues
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
In the scam, the caller alleges that back taxes are owed and threatens arrest, deportation or the suspension of a business or driver’s license if funds are not wired as directed. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration says it is the largest scam of its kind, with reports from over 20,000 people having received it.
The scammers often use common names and fake IRS badge numbers, know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number and make caller ID appear as if the IRS is calling, according to the agency’s warning on the scam, which was first issued in October 2013.
If you get a call from someone who claims to be with the IRS asking you to pay back taxes, here’s what you should do, says the IRS:
• If you owe or think you might owe federal taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
• If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
• You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov. Add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments in your complaint.
The agency also gives a few warning signs so you can protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of these crimes:
• Be wary of any unexpected phone or email communication allegedly from the IRS.
• Don’t fall for phone and phishing email scams that use the IRS as a lure. Thieves often pose as the IRS using a bogus refund or warnings to pay past-due taxes.
• The IRS usually first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes.
• The IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone.
• The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.
• The IRS doesn’t ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential information for credit card, bank or other accounts.
[[In-content Ad]]
In the scam, the caller alleges that back taxes are owed and threatens arrest, deportation or the suspension of a business or driver’s license if funds are not wired as directed. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration says it is the largest scam of its kind, with reports from over 20,000 people having received it.
The scammers often use common names and fake IRS badge numbers, know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number and make caller ID appear as if the IRS is calling, according to the agency’s warning on the scam, which was first issued in October 2013.
If you get a call from someone who claims to be with the IRS asking you to pay back taxes, here’s what you should do, says the IRS:
• If you owe or think you might owe federal taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
• If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
• You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov. Add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments in your complaint.
The agency also gives a few warning signs so you can protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of these crimes:
• Be wary of any unexpected phone or email communication allegedly from the IRS.
• Don’t fall for phone and phishing email scams that use the IRS as a lure. Thieves often pose as the IRS using a bogus refund or warnings to pay past-due taxes.
• The IRS usually first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes.
• The IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone.
• The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.
• The IRS doesn’t ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential information for credit card, bank or other accounts.
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092