Sep 13, 2014
IRS Scam call, saying deficiencies in my income tax payments and the IRS is filing a criminal case against me, and started reading “counts” to me. - Bogus
The truth is the IRS usually first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes. And the IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone.
“If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and uses threatening language if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling,” he said.
The callers who commit this fraud often:
•Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers.
•Know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number.
•Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling.
•Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam.
•Call a second time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s what to do:
•If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
•If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to TIGTA at 800-366-4484.
•You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments in your complaint