Don't Be a Victim of Scams This Tax Season

The IRS is a common lure for scammers this time of year. These tax scams take many different forms. The most common scams are phone calls and emails from thieves who pretend to be representing the IRS. Scammers use the IRS name, logo or a fake website to attempt to steal money from taxpayers. Identity theft is often another motive.

Fake IRS Calls
Be wary of phone calls or automated messages from anyone who claims to be from the IRS. Frequently these criminals will tell you that you owe money. They also demand payment immediately. Other times scammers will lie and claim you are due a refund. The thieves ask for bank account information over the phone.

IRS employees will never:

• Call demanding immediate payment. The IRS will not call a taxpayer if they owe tax without first sending a bill in the mail.
• Demand payment without allowing the taxpayer to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Require the taxpayer pay their taxes a certain way. For example, demand taxpayers use a prepaid debit card.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Threaten to contact local police or similar agencies to arrest the taxpayer for non-payment of taxes.
• Threaten legal action such as a lawsuit.

If you receive a call from a scammer, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

Fake IRS Emails
In most cases, an IRS phishing scam is an unsolicited, bogus email that claims to come from the IRS. Criminals often use fake refunds, phony tax bills or threats of an audit. Some emails link to fake websites that look real. The scammer’s objective is to convince you to give them your personal and financial information. If they get what they’re after, they use it to steal your money and identity.

If you receive a “phishing” email, remember these important tips:

• Don’t reply to the message.
• Don’t give out your personal or financial information.
• Forward the email to phishing@irs.gov. Then delete it.
• Do not open any attachments or click on any links. They may have malicious code that will infect your computer.