In recent weeks, there has been an increase in IRS Imposter Scams. Fraud artists are calling people throughout the country posing as IRS agents. Currently, these calls are threatening lawsuits, and court appearances.
Many of these fraud artists are using phone numbers that look like they are coming from Washington DC or other area codes within the United States. However, these calls are really coming from overseas call centers. Don’t give the caller any information. Protect yourself and hang up.
If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS staff can check your information and help you with a payment issue. Or contact a BRP tax professional for guidance.
If you receive an unexpected threatening call, don’t give out any information – a text, don’t respond, – an email, don’t respond.
It’s important to remember the IRS:
- WILL NOT initiate contact with a taxpayer by phone, email or text message.
- WILL NOT call a taxpayer regarding taxes owed without having first mailed a notice.
- WILL NOT require a taxpayer to use a specific payment method or ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- WILL NOT revoke a driver’s license due to unpaid taxes.
These imposters continue to be creative, threatening, and relentless with phone calls, texts and emails demanding immediate payment through wire transfers, debit cards, electronic links, etc. These type of scams and phone calls continue throughout the year. Don’t be fooled. It’s not the IRS calling.
Here’s some advice and detailed information from the IRS:
Report fraudulent activity to TIGTA at 1-800-366-4484 or www.tigta.gov. Or use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page.
Also contact the Federal Trade Commission through the FTC Complaint Assistant at FTC.gov, and add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the complaint comments.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this Blog (the “Blog”) is intended solely to provide general guidance on matters of interest for the personal use of the reader, who accepts full responsibility for its use. In no event will BRP, or its partners, employees or agents, be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this Blog or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.