NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The IRS is continuing to warn consumers to be on guard for scam phone calls from thieves trying to steal their money or identity.
The IRS says that criminals pose as the IRS as a way to trick consumers out of their money or personal information. The IRS has provided tips to help you stay safe:
- Scammers make unsolicited calls: Thieves call taxpayers claiming to be IRS officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests through phone “robo-calls,” or viaphishing email.
- Callers try to scare their victims: Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they don’t get the money.
- Scams use called ID spoofing: Scammers often alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.
- Cons try new tricks all the time: Some schemes provide an actual IRS address where they tell the victim to mail a receipt for the payment they make. Others use emails that contain a fake IRS document with a phone number or an email address for a reply. These scams often use official IRS letterhead in emails or regular mail that they send to their victims. They try these ploys to make the ruse look official.
- Scams cost victims over $23 million: Some schemes provide an actual IRS address where they tell the victim to mail a receipt for the payment they make. Others use emails that contain a fake IRS document with a phone number or an email address for a reply. These scams often use official IRS letterhead in emails or regular mail that they send to their victims. They try these ploys to make the ruse look official.
The IRS says that it will never:
- Call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending a bill in the mail.
- Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.
- Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.
If you are suspicious of a call, the IRS urges you not to give out any information and to hang up immediately.
You can contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. Additional information and resources can be found here.
