IRS- Warning on Fake Emails and Phone Calls

Recently, the IRS issued a warning about emails and phones callers representing themselves as being from the IRS. Scammers frequently pose as representing legitimate companies or government agencies in an effort to trick people to give them personal information that the scammer can use in identity theft schemes. Emails may have you click on a link that may look like a legitimate web site, but is controlled by the scammer and will ask for personal information such as your Social Security Number, bank account numbers, parent’s names, your birthdate, etc. Callers may demand immediate payment for bogus back taxes and penalties. The callers may try to pressure you to make payment with a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.

The IRS emphasizes that it will not contact you by email or phone. Nor will it ask for your personal information (it already has it). Nor will the IRS contact you through social media or text.

The IRS recommends the following:

For “phishing” emails-

·         Don’t reply to the message

·         Don’t open any attachments or click on any links.

·         Don’t give out your personal or financial information.

For unexpected phone calls from someone claiming to be from the IRS-

·         Ask for a call back number and an employee badge number.

·         If you think that you may owe taxes, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040. An IRS employee can help you.

·         If you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you do, call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at (800) 366-4484 and report the incident.

·         You should also report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and use their “FTC Complaint assistant” at www.ftc.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint.

 

For more information go to IRS Tax Tip 2014-19 at:

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Beware-of-Fake-IRS-Emails-and-Phone-Calls