Telephone IRS & State Tax Scams
TELEPHONE IRS & STATE TAX SCAMS
The IRS has warned taxpayers against aggressive callers claiming to be from the IRS in order to steal money. Often these scammers tell intended victims they owe taxes that they must pay immediately using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with immediate arrest, deportation, or loss of business or drivers’s license.
The callers who commit this fraud often:
Utilize an automated robocall machine
Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers
May know the last 4 digits of victims SS#
Make caller ID information appear as if IRS is calling
Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam
Call a second or third time claiming to be police or DMV
& caller ID again supports their claim.
The IRS urged anyone who received a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with the IRS & asking for a payment, to first hang up & call IRS at 800-829-1040 to determine whether they legitimately owes taxes. Otherwise, taxpayers should call TIGTA at 800-366-4484 or report it on TIGTA website. www.treasury.gov.tigna