The pervasive IRS impersonation phone scam has claimed nearly 3,000
victims who have collectively paid over $14 million, according to a new
warning from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
TIGTA has received reports of roughly 290,000 contacts from scammers
with taxpayers since October 2013. In the scam, taxpayers receive
unsolicited telephone calls from these criminals claiming to be IRS
officials. These callers will demand the taxpayer send money via prepaid
debit cards, ACH transfers or even credit card payments.
The callers who commit this fraud often use an automated robocall
machine and employ common names and fake IRS badge numbers. They may
already know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number.
The scammers can make their caller ID information appear as if the IRS
are calling. They may also send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam.
In addition, they may call a second or third time claiming to be the
police or the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the caller ID will again
support their claim.
Ignore any requests for personal or financial information by phone,
email, text messaging, or any social media. The IRS will not ask for
payment using a prepaid debit card, ACH transfer, or request a credit
card number over the phone.
If you receive mail from the IRS please call or bring it to our office
BEFORE taking any action to assure you are not a targeted victim.
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