IRS Scams Continue

Aggressive, threatening phone calls from criminals impersonating IRS agents continue to top the IRS’ list of “Dirty Dozen” scams. In the scam, criminals alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and badge numbers and demand money from unsuspecting taxpayers.

The callers also try to trick taxpayers into revealing personal information by telling the taxpayers that they have a refund due, but additional information is needed (like a bank account number) to process the refund.

We have had a couple of clients call us after receiving phone calls like these so I wanted to emphasize a few things to be aware of:

The IRS will NEVER:

1. Call to demand immediate payment
2. 2.Require you to use a specific payment method to pay taxes due.
3. 3.Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone
4. 4.Threaten to bring in law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, please do the following:

1. If you owe taxes, ask for a call back number and an employee badge number, then call the IRS using this number 1-800-829-1040. IRS employees can help you with payment issues.
2. If you know that you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to TIGTA at 1-800-366-+4484 or online at www.tigta.gov.

We don’t want any of our clients to be taken in by these scammers, so if you have any doubt, do not give out any information, and call the IRS yourself.