Be aware of telephone scam artists continuing to pretend they are the IRS. Scammers call claiming you owe money or have a refund trying to trick you into releasing important information. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Fake names and incorrect ID badge numbers are given to make you believe it is the IRS. Continue reading
Government Officials Warn of Widespread Telephone Scam
A sophisticated telephone scam from individuals claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service has cost taxpayers more than $1 million collectively, according to federal government officials. The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA) has received reports of more than 20,000 contacts from nearly every state in the country. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must use a prepaid debit card or wire transfer to make a payment. They threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license. George says the threats are a sign that the caller is not an IRS representative. He adds IRS contacts people by mail about unpaid taxes and will not ask for payment via prepaid debit card or wire transfer. IRS officials also will not ask for a credit card number over the telephone. Continue reading
