Emails and phone calls are the most common methods scammers use to dupe people. At any time, someone claiming to be from the IRS can reach out to you. The phony IRS agent may try to extract sensitive information from you such as your Social Security Number or convince/intimidate you into transferring your money to them to pay for your alleged tax debt.
The latest email phishing scheme is "Update your IRS efile". In this scam, fraudsters send an email to random people claiming to be the IRS. The email contains a link to a bogus website that is designed to look like the IRS site, and you'll be instructed to update your IRS efile immediately. Using this facade, they extract information which can then be used to commit tax and financial crimes.
It's important to remember that the IRS won't initiate contact with you through email. They may call you over the phone if they wish to communicate, but will more than likely they'll send you a notice. If you receive an email that you believe is counterfeit, you should forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
Scammers also phone taxpayers claiming to be IRS agents. The caller says that back taxes are owed and demands an immediate money transfer. They often use intimidation to prompt their victims to act.
In identifying a scam, it's good to remember the following about the IRS:
- They typically won't call without first sending you an official notice.
- They won't demand back tax payments without giving you a chance to make an appeal or time to question.
- You should not be asked to pay your back taxes using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card.
- They will not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
The IRS does not intimidate or bully taxpayers over the phone. If you're in collections, expect an official notice through the mail.Labels: Back Taxes, Identity Theft, Tax Filing, Tax News, Tax Scams, Taxpayers
