**While this may be a lengthy post, please take a moment to read it regarding IRS impersonation scams. As a reminder, governmental agencies (federal, state, and local) will not demand payment via telephone nor will they ask for payment in the form of a money transfer, prepaid credit card, or other type of gift card (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc.). Please remain vigilant and when in doubt, look up the phone number for the governmental agency and contact them directly to inquire about the phone call or email you received before you take any action.**
May 31, 2018 - Washington - With tax season completed, the Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers to remain vigilant for phishing emails and telephone scams. Summertime tends to be a favorite period for scammers because many taxpayers have recently filed a return and may be waiting for a response from the IRS.
The IRS and its Security Summit partners – the state tax agencies and the tax industry – urge taxpayers to remain alert to tax scams year-round, especially immediately after the tax filing season ends. Even after the April deadline passes, the tax scam season doesn’t end.
While many of the scams are variations on a theme and tend to evolve over time, taxpayers should be on the lookout for any attempt to get them to disclose personal information like Social Security numbers, account information or passwords. If in doubt, don’t give it out. Those receiving such calls should hang up and initiate correspondence with the agency that is purportedly inquiring about their account using a well-known phone number or email address. Clicking on links provided in emails or calling back unfamiliar phone numbers is not recommended.
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Here are some resources and additional information for you to review:
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration IRS Impersonation Scam Update:
https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/irs_scam_updates.shtml
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting:
https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
IRS continues warning on impersonation scams; Reminds people to remain alert to other scams, schemes this summer:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-continues-warning-on-impersonation-scams-reminds-people-to-remain-alert-to-other-scams-schemes-this-summer
Report Phishing and Online Scams:
https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing
Avoid Scams: Know The Facts On How The IRS Contacts Taxpayers:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/avoid-scams-know-the-facts-on-how-the-irs-contacts-taxpayers
