Tax season is upon us!
That means Scammers are too!
While this should not surprise anyone, there are still many people who fall victim to tax scams and identity fraud every year.
This week, the Internal Revenue Service has again issued warnings reminding us that identity thieves are posing as IRS agents in a wide range of phone scams. These criminals are “posing as IRS agents in hopes of stealing taxpayer money or personal information.”
Identity thieves generally try to create a sense of urgency or panic when they call. Their strategy is to put you in a state of fear or anxiety by threatening you with prosecution or jail time.
The IRS lists four things their agents will never do when contacting taxpayers:
- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
- Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Call unexpectedly about a tax refund.
If you receive one of these phone calls, the IRS says step one is to write down the number and more importantly, HANG UP.