Full Notification

IRS SCAMS AND HOW TO REPORT THEM

The IRS scams are on the rise, especially with tax season around the corner. Therefore, here is some information on the scams and how to properly report them.

WHAT IS THE “IRS BACK TAX SCAM?”
The IRS Back Tax Scam - is where you receive a call from someone claiming to be an IRS representative. The caller accuses you of not paying your taxes and quotes you a dollar figure that is owed. The caller demands you pay over the phone using a prepaid credit card, such as a “green dot” card. The caller may even threaten to have you arrested or issue a warrant for your arrest if you do not pay the money now.

The other IRS scams may vary slightly from the above scenario, but what the caller is asking for is the same. They want you to pay using a prepaid credit card, such as “green dot,” or possibly by wiring money through something like Western Union (it is like handing them cash). These forms of payment are untraceable (they leave no money trail). Anytime you hear someone ask you to make a payment using these methods you should question their validity. Reputable companies typically will not ask you to make a payment using these methods (they like money trails).

HOW TO REPORT IRS/TELEPHONE SCAMS
Citizens who receive these calls can report the calls directly to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Many of these crimes turn out as federal issues beyond the scope of the local agency jurisdictions, since many of the suspects typically operate overseas and use untraceable or international telephone numbers. (More reporting information can be obtained at www.irs.gov.)
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here is what you should do:

• If you know you owe taxes, or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS employees can help you with any payment issues.
• If you do not believe you owe any additional taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
• You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Imposter Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

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