U.S. Representative Richard Hanna is reminding people to beware of beware of phone calls from individuals claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in an effort to defraud them.
The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration said this is a crime of opportunity, and the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to take away the opportunity. Do not engage with these criminals claiming to be the IRS. If they call you, hang up the telephone.
The Inspector General said that the scam has hit taxpayers in every state in the country. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with immediate arrest, deportation, or loss of a business or driver's license.
The IRS usually first contacts people by mail -- not by phone -- about unpaid taxes. And the IRS won't ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also won't ask for a credit card number over the phone.
"What people need to remember is: never give out any personal information over the phone," Rep. Hanna said. "Be wary of unsolicited telephone calls, especially callers who are aggressive and relentless. These criminals often prey on older people, so pass the word along to elderly neighbors, friends and family. Let's do all we can to prevent this scam from spreading further and hurting more hardworking Americans."
The callers who commit this fraud often:
Utilize an automated robocall machine.
Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers.
May know the last four digits of the victim's Social Security Number.
Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling.
Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam.
Call a second or third time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here's what to do:
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 don't owe taxes, fill out the "IRS Impersonation scam" form on TIGTA's website, http://www.treasury.gov/tigta 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.
TIGTA and the IRS encourage taxpayers to be alert for phone and e-mail scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, texting, or any social media. You should forward scam e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. Do not open any attachments or click on any links in those e-mails.
Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes winner) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.