USA IRS : IRS and Security Summit partners warn new twist on telephone scams; Thieves target contributors to IRS.gov to “verify” calls

By | April 24, 2018
(Last Updated On: April 25, 2018)

IRS and Security Summit partners warn new twist on telephone scams; Thieves target contributors to IRS.gov to “verify” calls

IR-2018-103SP, April 24, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today warned of a new twist on an old phone scam as criminals use telephone numbers that mimic Centers Assistance (TAC) of the IRS to lure taxpayers to pay nonexistent tax bills.

The IRS and its partners in the Security Summit – state tax agencies and tax industry – urging taxpayers to tax scams remain alert throughout the year, especially immediately after the season ending tax filing. Even after the April deadline, the season does not end tax scams.

In the latest version of the phone scam, criminals say call from a local IRS TAC. Fraudsters have programmed their computers to display the phone number of the TAC, which appears on the caller ID of the taxpayer when the call is made.

If the taxpayer disputes the tax demand, thieves target thetaxpayer to IRS.gov to search the phone number of the local TAC and check the number. Criminals hanging, wait a short time and then call back, and are able to spoof the caller ID to appear that the call comes from the IRS office. After the taxpayer has “verified” the number of the call, the scammers again demanding money, usually through a debit card.

Fraudsters have also been posing as local sheriff ‘s offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles state, federal agencies and others to convince taxpayers that the call is legitimate.

IRS employees in TACs do not make calls to taxpayers to demand payment of overdue tax bills. The IRS reminds taxpayers who usually initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.

There are special and limited circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business, as when a taxpayer has a bill for overdue taxes, to secure a statement of delinquent taxes or payment of delinquent taxes employer, or to go a business as part of an audit or during criminal investigations.

Even then, taxpayers in general will first receive several letters (called “notifications”) from the IRS by mail.

Note that the IRS will not:

  • It requires that you use a specific method of payment, such as prepaid debit card, a gift card or bank transfer. The IRS will not ask for your card numbers debit or credit card over the phone. If you owe taxes, make payments tothe Treasury of the United States or reviseIRS.gov/pagos for online options IRS.
  • It required to pay taxes without an opportunity to challenge or appeal the amount they say you owe. Generally, the IRS will first send an invoice by mail if you owe taxes. It should also be informed of their rights as a taxpayer .
  • Threatens to bring to the local immigration police officers or other law enforcement agencies to arrest him for nonpayment. The IRS can not revoke your driver ‘s license, business license or immigration status. Threats how are you are common tactics used by fraudsters to trick victims into believing their schemes.

Taxpayers who receive telephone scam IRS or any scam impersonating the IRS must inform the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration on its website scam reports Impersonation the IRS and the IRS by sending an email tophishing @ irs. gov (Subject: ‘phone Scam IRS’).

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