IRS Phone Scams | TaxConnections

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With the new tax season starting this week, the IRS reminds taxpayers to be aware that criminals continue to make aggressive calls posing as IRS agents in hopes of stealing taxpayer money or personal information.

Here are some telltale signs of a tax scam along with actions taxpayers can take if they receive a scam call.

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 to TIGTA using their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling 800-366-4484.
-Report the number to phishing@irs.gov and be sure to put “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.

More information:
Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts
Report Phishing and Online Scams
Tax Tip 2022-15

Written by TaxConnections Admin | Posted in IRS Phone Scams

The Internal Revenue Service today warned of a new twist on an old phone scam as criminals use telephone numbers that mimic IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) to trick taxpayers into paying non-existent tax bills.

The IRS and its Security Summit partners – the state tax agencies and the tax industry – urge taxpayers to remain alert to tax scams year-round, especially immediately after the tax filing season ends. Even after the April deadline passes, the tax scam season doesn’t end.

In the latest version of the phone scam, criminals claim to be calling from a local IRS TAC office. Scam artists have programmed their computers to display the TAC telephone number, which appears on the taxpayer’s Caller ID when the call is made.

If the taxpayer questions their demand for tax payment, they direct the taxpayer to IRS.gov to look up the local TAC office telephone number to verify the phone number. The crooks hang up, wait a short time and then call back a second time, and they are able to fake or “spoof” the Caller ID to appear to be the IRS office calling. After the taxpayer has “verified” the call number, the fraudsters resume their demands for money, generally demanding payment on a debit card.
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