Please
beware of this IRS Impersonation Scam. I
have heard from one client in NJ who was called yesterday (8/2).
The
following information is from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration (TIGTA) -
WHAT?
Individuals
impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees are making unsolicited
threatening telephone calls to taxpayers. They use the threat of arrest to
obtain money from victims by falsely representing that the victims owe back
taxes or other fees. The perpetrators demand that the victims send them money
via iTunes cards, other prepaid debit cards, money orders, or wire transfers
from their banks.
WHO?
The
perpetrators are individuals who falsely claim to be IRS employees and tell
intended victims they owe taxes and must pay using an iTunes card, other
pre-paid debit card, money order, or wire transfer. Some of them are in the
United States; however, there is a strong international component to this crime
as well.
WHEN/WHERE?
Since
October 2013, TIGTA has received reports of these fraudulent calls in every
State in the country. The perpetrators are calling with multiple caller IDs
from around the world.
WHAT
TO DO?
First,
hang up! Do not engage with these callers. If you owe Federal taxes, or think
you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can
help you with your payment questions.
If
you do not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation scam” form on TIGTA’s
website, www.tigta.gov or call TIGTA at 800-366-4484. You can also file a
complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone
Scam” to the comments in your complaint.
TTFN
No comments:
Post a Comment