IRS Warns Taxpayers of Summer Surge in Automated Phone Scam Calls; Requests for Fake Tax Payments Using iTunes Gift Cards<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON \u2014 The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to stay vigilant against an increase of IRS impersonation scams in the form of automated calls and new tactics from scammers demanding tax payments on iTunes and other gift cards.
\nThe IRS has seen an increase in \u201crobo-calls\u201d where scammers leave urgent callback requests through the phone telling taxpayers to call back to settle their \u201ctax bill.\u201d These fake calls generally claim to be the last warning before legal action is taken. Once the victim calls back, the scammers may threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the driver\u2019s license of the victim if they don\u2019t agree to pay.
\n\u201cIt used to be that most of these bogus calls would come from a live-person. Scammers are evolving and using more and more automated calls in an effort to reach the largest number of victims possible,\u201d said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. \u201cTaxpayers should remain alert for this summer surge of phone scams, and watch for clear warning signs as these scammers change tactics.\u201d
\nIn the latest trend, IRS impersonators are demanding payments on iTunes and other gift cards. The IRS reminds taxpayers that any request to settle a tax bill by putting money on any form of gift card is a clear indication of a scam.
\nSome examples of the varied tactics seen this year are:
\n\u2022 Demanding payment for a \u201cFederal Student Tax\u201d–IR-2016-81
\n\u2022 Demanding immediate tax payment for taxes owed on an iTunes or other type of gift card
\n\u2022 Soliciting W-2 information from payroll and human resources professionals–IR-2016-34
\n\u2022 \u201cVerifying\u201d tax return information over the phone–IR-2016-40
\n\u2022 Pretending to be from the tax preparation industry–IR-2016-28
\nSince these bogus calls can take many forms and scammers are constantly changing their strategies, knowing the telltale signs is the best way to avoid becoming a victim.
\nThe IRS Will Never:
\n\u2022 Call to demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
\n\u2022 Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
\n\u2022 Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
\n\u2022 Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
\n\u2022 Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
\nIf you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money and you don\u2019t owe taxes, here\u2019s what you should do:
\n\u2022 Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
\n\u2022 Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their \u201cIRS Impersonation Scam Reporting\u201d web page or call 800-366-4484.
\n\u2022 Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the \u201cFTC Complaint Assistant\u201d on FTC.gov. Please add \u201cIRS Telephone Scam\u201d in the notes.
\n\u2022 If you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IRS Warns Taxpayers of Summer Surge in Automated Phone Scam Calls; Requests for Fake Tax Payments Using iTunes Gift Cards WASHINGTON \u2014 The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to stay vigilant against an increase of IRS impersonation scams in the form of automated calls and new tactics from scammers demanding tax payments on iTunes …<\/p>\n