FORNEY, Texas — Readers have recently reported an increase in IRS phone scams which threaten arrest and imprisonment.
FORNEY, Texas — Readers have recently reported an increase in IRS phone scams which threaten arrest and imprisonment.
The fraudsters are demanding an immediate tax payment through a pre-paid debit card.
“This is a new twist to an old scam,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Just because tax season is over, scams and schemes do not take the summer off.” “People should stay vigilant against IRS impersonation scams,” he said. “People should remember that the first contact they receive from IRS will not be through a random, threatening phone call.” The IRS says there are many tell tale signs of a scam, many of which are evident in the latest phone scams.
For example, the IRS, or its authorized private collection agencies, do not ask for credit or debit card information over the phone, do not threaten immediate local police or other law-enforcement agency intervention or arrest, and do not demand taxes be paid without an appeal.
The IRS says they offer several payment options if taxes are due but does not call and demand a specific payment method such as a debit card, gift card, or wire transfer.
“The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments,” states IRS.gov.
“Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes,” states IRS.gov. “All tax payments should only be made payable to the U.S. Treasury and checks should never be made payable to third parties.” Payments can also be made through the IRS’s EFTPS system online or phone through the EFTPS Voice Response System.
“Since EFTPS is an automated system, taxpayers won’t receive a call from the IRS,” states IRS.gov.
For anyone who does not owe taxes, the IRS advices to take these steps if contacted:
• Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
• Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
For anyone who owes tax or thinks they do:
• View your tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount you owe. You can then also review your payment options.
• Call the number on the billing notice, or
• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help.
The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. For more information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov.
