SCAM UPDATE- IRS Scam

IRS to use private collection agencies. The IRS will begin using private collection agencies to collect taxes, fees and penalties from accounts that still owe money but the IRS is no longer actively pursuing for collection. Using private collection agencies was authorized by Congress with legislation in December 2015.

The IRS says that it will send a written notice to taxpayers and their representative when their accounts are being transferred to a private collection agency. In turn, the agencies gaining the accounts will send a letter to taxpayers and their representatives confirming the transfers.

Only four private collection agencies have authorization to collect for the IRS, CBE, ConServe, Performant, and Pioneer. The agencies must follow the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and their employees should be courteous and respect taxpayer rights.

The agencies will not ask for payment with prepaid debit, iTunes or gift cards. The IRS says that “Taxpayers will be informed about electronic payment options for taxpayers on IRS.gov/Pay Your Tax Bill. Payment by check should be payable to the U.S. Treasury and sent directly to IRS, not the private collection agency.”

For more about this new program, go to the following links,

Private Debt Collection:

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection

Stay Alert to Phone Scams:

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/irs-reminds-seniors-to-remain-on-alert-to-phone-scams-during-tax-season

IRS scam ringleader arrested. IRS scammers can work anywhere in the world. Recently, Indian law enforcement announced the arrest of Sagar Thakker in Mumbai. Indian authorities accuse him of being the mastermind of several IRS scam call centers. He is being accused of extortion, cheating, impersonation, criminal conspiracy, and violating Indian communications and tech laws.

For more detail about this arrest, look at this link,

CNN:

http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/09/news/tax-scam-india-arrest-ringleader/index.html?sr=twCNN041017/tax-scam-india-arrest-ringleader0400AMStoryLink&linkId=36350928

AARP continues scam prevention education. AARP has been educating consumers about the wide variety of scams that can threaten them. Recently, it published an online fraud guide.  The guide has summaries of several scams written by AARP experts. Review the guide and please pass it on to your friends and family.

AARP:

http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2017/fraud-protection-ultimate-guide.html?cmp=SNO-WA-TW-AO-FWN&socialid=854738411