360-262-6453

“   IRS Says be Alert for Tax Scams\r\n\r\nTax scammers work year-round; they don’t take the summer off. The IRS urges you to stay vigilant against calls from scammers impersonating the IRS. Here are several tips from the IRS to help you avoid being a victim:\r\n\r\nScams use scare tactics. These aggressive and sophisticated scammers try to scare people into making an immediate payment. They make threats, often threaten arrest or deportation, or they say they’ll take away your driver’s or professional license if you don’t pay. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests, sometimes through “robo-calls.” Emails will often contain a fake IRS document with a phone number or an email address for you to reply. \r\n\r\nScams spoof caller ID. Scammers often alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legit. They may use online resources to get your name, address and other details about your life to make\r\nmake the call sound official. \r\n\r\nScams use phishing email and regular mail. Scammers copy official IRS letterhead to use in email or regular mail they send to victims. In another new variation, schemers provide an actual IRS address where they tell the victim to mail a receipt for the payment they make. This makes the scheme look official. \r\n\r\nScams cost victims over $38 million. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or TIGTA, has received reports of more than one million contacts since October 2013. TIGTA is also aware of more than 6,700 victims who have collectively reported over $38 million in financial losses as a result of tax scams. \r\n\r\nThe real IRS will not:\r\n\r\nThe IRS will not call you about your tax bill without first sending you a bill in the mail. Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount that you owe. Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card or any specific type or any specific type of tender. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying. Threaten you with a lawsuit. \r\n\r\nIf you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you do:\r\n\r\nDo not provide any information to the caller. Hang up immediately. Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Use TIGTA’s “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page to report the incident. You should also report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes. \r\n\r\nIf you know you owe, or think you may owe taxes call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS employees can help you if you do owe taxes.\r\n\r\nIRS Tax Tips provide valuable information throughout the year. IRS.gov offers tax help and info on various topics including common tax scams, taxpayer rights and more.\r\n\r\n ”

“ I just got it. A scam... ”

“ received the same thing everyone else has this morning. When I called back a Pakistani answered saying IRS is going to sue me! I told him to wait while I got the tape recorder which of course didn't go over well at all! My guess is they HOPE they get your credit card info. Sadly they must have some success or they wouldn't still be doing this. ”

“ Left me a Voicemail asking me call back regarding case. When I called back, one south Asian accent speaking guy answered saying "Internal Revenue Service may I help you ?" \r\nJoker :)\r\n\r\nGovt should look into these fraudsters. ”

“ Just happened to me. Lame. ...How do you get off these lists??? ”

“ I received the same IRS call today and called back. A person with a bad accent answered and said they were the IRS and I yelled at the top of my lungs that he was a liar that he was not the IRS and the IRS does not call. All of the things I did say to him if it was the IRS they would of called back. These people are scum bags looking to prey on people that have no clue how the IRS works. Our government needs to do something to stop these pieces of crap from exploiting people. Enough said.\r\n ”

“ Called me at 3:30 a.m. x2, really irritating. Voicemail about lawsuit being filed by IRS. Thought it was a scam right away and from comments my assumption was right. Hope they catch up with these people. ”

“ Just got same call from that number. You can report it here to the treasury department. https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml\r\n\r\nThere is more about these scams in this CNBC news article.\r\nhttp://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/28/guess-what-thats-not-the-irs-calling.html\r\n\r\n\r\n ”

“ I received same message just now. ”

“ Same thing call saying the IRS is getting a lawsuit against me. Called back and it was a fast busy. \r\n ”

“ Automated message says it was the IRS but I highly doubt it. IRS ill mail you something first. Called the number back and it was busy. SOunds like BS to me ”