Beware IRS phone scam, again
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News from Area VI Agency on Aging
POLSON — During tax season the IRS phone scam is in high gear. Local residents have been the target of recent calls, along with the rest of the nation.
A recent press release from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, estimated the amount of money lost by victims of the scam in the last two years at over $23 million.
The callers are aggressive. They claim to be from the IRS, and threaten you with lawsuits, fines, and even arrest if you don’t send payment. Many people around the nation continue to fall victim to these scammers, because they are good at what they do. Please share this story with family and friends, especially aging parents or grandparents.
The fake callers may leave voice mails, or talk to you in person. They use false names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know some information about you, and they usually alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. They may ask for your personal and banking information. If leaving a voicemail, they may leave an “urgent” callback request. Don’t use a number they give you. You can call the real IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to check if there is an issue. If you are on the phone and refuse to cooperate, the caller may become hostile and insulting. They may try to threaten you with arrest, deportation, or suspension of a driver’s license or business license.
The IRS has five red flags to watch for. The IRS does not do the following:
—Call you to demand immediate payment. They will mail you a bill before any phone call.
—Demand you pay taxes without giving you the chance to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
—Require you to use a certain payment method, such as a prepaid debit card.
—Ask for credit card or banking numbers over the phone
—Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested.
—Use text messaging or social media to discuss tax cases.
Report tax fraud attempts to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.
