Tag Archive for Tax Scam

IRS Warns Of Variation Of Form W-8BEN Scam

Washington – The Internal Revenue Service today warned of a new twist tied to an old scam aimed at international taxpayers and non-resident aliens. In this scam, criminals use a fake IRS Form W-8BEN to solicit detailed personal identification and bank account information from victims.

Here’s how the scam works. Criminals mail or fax a letter indicating that although individuals are exempt from withholding and reporting income tax, they need to authenticate their information by filling out a phony version of Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting. Recipients are requested to fax the information back. Read More

Written by | Posted in Form W-8BEN • IRS • IRS Scam • Tax Scam

One Of The Latest Tax Scams To Be Aware Of And How It Works

I have written frequently about the multitude of tax scams.

And once again, the scammers have found a way to play to and outwit your insatiable curiosity. Here’s one of the latest scams to be aware of, and how it works.

Scammers know that more and more people are screening and not answering calls from unrecognized or private numbers. So now, the crooks have developed software that allows them to display irresistible ‘fake’ numbers. Read More

Written by | Posted in IRS • Tax Scam

IRS Alerts Taxpayers About Refund Scam

The IRS warns taxpayers of a new twist on an old scam. Criminals are depositing fraudulent tax refunds into individuals’ actual bank accounts, then attempting to reclaim the refund from the taxpayers.
Here are the basic steps criminals follow to carry out this scam. The thief:

• Hacks tax preparers’ computers to steal taxpayer data.

• Uses the stolen information to file tax returns as the taxpayers.

• Has refunds deposited into taxpayers’ bank accounts. Read More

Written by | Posted in Fraud • IRS • IRS Scam • Tax Reform • TaxConnections

Don’t Fall For New Tax Scam Tricks By IRS Posers

Peter Flournoy, Tax Advisor, Tax Blog, TaxConnections

Though the tax season is over, tax scammers work year-round. The IRS advises you to stay alert to protect yourself against new ways criminals pose as the IRS to trick you out of your money or personal information. These scams first tried to sting older Americans, newly arrived immigrants and those who speak English as a second language. The crooks have expanded their net, and now try to swindle virtually anyone. Here are several tips from the IRS to help you avoid being a victim of these scams:

• Scams use scare tactics.  These aggressive and sophisticated scams try to scare people into making a false tax payment that ends up with the criminal. Many phone scams use threats to try to intimidate you so you will pay them your money. They often threaten arrest or deportation, or that they will revoke your license if you don’t pay. They may also Read More

Written by | Posted in IRS • Tax Fraud/Evasion/Crimes

The One Thing IRS Tax Scammers Hope You Don’t Know

The ongoing IRS tax scam that has topped the Dirty Dozen list for the past three years is the phone call where the person on the other end impersonates an IRS agent. These scammers target the most vulnerable taxpayers, which include the elderly, recent immigrants and those whose first language is not English. These scammers are counting on those Americans not being aware of how the IRS works.

So, in this case, just one bit of knowledge goes a long way in foiling the IRS scammers’ attempts at stealing your refund or filing a false tax return in your name.

Here is the only thing you really need to know. The IRS doesn’t call, they send a formal letter. Sear this into your brain. Read More

Written by | Posted in IRS • Tax Fraud/Evasion/Crimes

The IRS Is Not Calling To Arrest You!

Today, a new client appeared in my office and explained he needed a consultation right away. This is very strange because most people call to set up an initial conference and we discuss the case on the telephone before meeting. This man was middle-aged, dressed nicely, said he was an IT analyst, but was sweating and extremely nervous. I asked him “what is wrong?” He told me “the IRS called and said they had audited my tax returns, I owe a lot of money, and unless I contact the Restitution Department they are coming to arrest me.”

I immediately told him this was a scam. He was still very concerned. So I asked him for the telephone number of the so called “IRS” and I called using my speaker phone. The person answered “IRS Department.” I immediately knew this was a scam because no Read More

Written by | Posted in IRS • Tax Fraud/Evasion/Crimes

Tax Scammers Alert

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert last week providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS.

These 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.

“These telephone scams are being seen in every part of the country, and we urge people Read More

Written by | Posted in IRS • Tax Fraud/Evasion/Crimes