Scam claiming to be the IRS, Phone & Email

Scam phishing involving the impersonation of the Internal Revenue Service is on the rise.  The IRS has issued several reports in regards to these scams, warning citizens and providing tips on how to recognize these;

5 ways to recognize these scams, the IRS does not:

• Call demanding immediate payment, nor call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid card.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested.

Email Scam

The latest threat involves fake tax bills tied to the Affordable Care Act. If you receive such an email, rest assured that the IRS does not initiate contact via email.  This new phish/fraud attempt, is a fake CP-2000 notice allegedly from the IRS.  These fraudulent notices usually ask victims to pay a balance or penalty due in association with the Affordable Care Act.

Phone scam

Many of us are all too familiar with this type of scam. Someone will call and demand payment, often claiming that you owe back taxes.  During these calls, the victim is threatened with arrest if they do not comply with the demands.  If you talk to the scammer long enough, it will become clear through their poor English and illogical demands that they do not work for the IRS.

In Summation

Many if not most supposed contacts from the IRS are fraudulent.  Recognize the indications of such scams and do not become a victim.  Furthermore, with so many foreign criminals focusing on American citizens and organizations, it is important to always be cautious whenever anyone requests sensitive information.