‘Tis the Season for Scammers

As tax season rolls around again, we like to remind all of our clients that scammers find this to be the perfect time to troll unsuspecting taxpayers; resulting not only in anxiety for many but also millions of dollars lost.

These thieves, posing as employees of the IRS, use official sounding titles and threats to bilk hard working Americans out of money every year. However, according to the IRS, there are simple ways to recognize if you are dealing with tax scammers is by understanding how the actual IRS works.

The IRS will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
• Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Call unexpectedly about a tax refund.

Taxpayers who receive these phone calls should:

• Record the number and then hang up the phone immediately.
• Report the call by visiting the Hotline page of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and using an IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling 800-366-4484.
  • Forms to report fraud are available on the Hotline page of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration website. Taxpayers just click the appropriate option under “IRS Scams and Fraud” and follow the instructions.
• Report the number to phishing@irs.gov and put “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at 404-255-7400.