Recently
we received few calls from our clients stating that they have received a call
from someone claiming to be with the IRS and asking for a payment. The truth is
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 agency also won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone.
The
IRS is warning the public about a phone scam that targets people across the
nation, including recent immigrants. 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 arrest,
deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license.
The
callers who commit this fraud often:
Be
alert for phone and email scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never
request personal or financial information by email, texting or any social
media. You should forward scam emails to phishing@irs.gov.
Don’t open any attachments or click on any links in those emails.
Read
more about tax scams on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.