It seems like everyone these days has a story about a scammer attempting to impersonate the IRS either over the phone, by email, or in person in an attempt to steal money or personal information from them, or someone they know. At Wateree Business and Tax, we are constantly on the lookout for ways to protect our clients from these types of scams.
Recently, the IRS sent out an email with some helpful tips. Check out their advice below!
Tips to help recognize and avoid tax-related scams
Email phishing scams
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. Generally, the IRS first mails a paper bill to a person who owes taxes. In some special situations, the IRS will call or come to a home or business.
Taxpayers should report IRS, Treasury or tax-related suspicious online or email phishing scams to phishing@irs.gov. Do not open any attachments, click on any links, reply to the sender, or take any other actions.
Phone scams
The IRS generally first mails a bill to you, if you owe taxes. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will not:
- Leave pre-recorded, urgent, or threatening messages on an answering system.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to arrest the taxpayer for not paying, deport them, or revoke their licenses.
- Call to demand immediate payment with a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
- Ask for checks to third parties.
- Demand payment without giving the taxpayer an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Criminals can fake or spoof caller ID numbers to appear to be anywhere in the country. Scammers can even spoof an IRS office phone number or the numbers of various local, state, federal or tribal government agencies.
If you receive an IRS or Treasury-related phone call, but don’t owe taxes and have no reason to think you do, you should:
- NOT give out any information. Hang up immediately.
- Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the IRS impersonation scam call.
- Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. The subject line should include “IRS Phone Scam.”
- Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission.
If you want to verify what taxes you DO owe the IRS, you should:
- View your tax account information online at IRS.gov
OR you can call the IRS directly at the numbers below:
Individuals
800-829-1040
Businesses
800-829-4933
If you are still confused, or need assistance contacting the IRS about potential taxes you may owe, please feel free to give us at Wateree Business & Tax a call at (803) 438 – 6161. And remember, please be vigilant and stay safe out there!
Wateree Business & Tax Service 