IRS Warning – Scam Artists Posing as the IRS. Clients and Friends-Beware!
(Taken Directly from the IRS Website – See Link Below)
Please be aware of scam artists posing as IRS personnel on the phone. The IRS has issued an alert that details the types of calls you could receive and what to do about them.
“Callers may demand money or may say you have a refund due and try to trick you into sharing private information. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. If you don’t answer, they often leave an “urgent” callback request.
The IRS reminds people that they can know pretty easily when a supposed IRS caller is a fake. Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam. The IRS will never:
• Call to demand immediate payment, nor will we 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 debit 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 for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:
• If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.
• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.
To read the complete IRS alert go to http://www.irs.gov/ and type “scam” in the search box.”
Please note: It is extremely important that you protect your identity from people attempting to fraudulently file a tax return in your name. If you feel that some has tried to do so contact us immediately at 414-352-3200 for assistance. You should also fill out the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit which can be downloaded by clicking here.
The staff at Mitz & Rozansky is available to discuss any tax related concerns you may have. Give us a call at (414)352-3200.