As the IRS has worked to increase awareness among taxpayers about tax-related identity crimes, fraudsters have devised a new tax scam designed to outwit a more informed public.
How It Works
Criminals masquerading as representatives of a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) make calls to taxpayers demanding payment of nonexistent tax debts. The calls appear to be legitimate, because the scammers have programmed their computers to display TAC telephone numbers on caller ID systems. Taxpayers who question the legitimacy of a call are told to compare the telephone number appearing on their caller ID with the local TAC number listed on the IRS’s website. After credibility is established, the scammers call the taxpayer back and demand payment again usually by debit or credit card.
If you receive a mysterious call from someone claiming to be from the IRS demanding money over the telephone, this is a tax scam. Do not provide any information to this individual. The IRS typically initiates contact with taxpayers through regular mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS does not call taxpayers and demand payment over the telephone.
Here are some other tax scams to be aware of.
If you have additional questions around tax scams or how to prepare yourself or your team from falling victim to them, fill out the form below and our team will reach out to you!
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