Check Out This IRS Scam

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Published on May 3 2016 9:06 am
Last Updated on May 3 2016 9:06 am
Written by Greg Sapp

A local bank has contacted us about another IRS scam in hopes you won't be a victim. Two local residents have fallen prey to the scheme.

Here's the scenario: the victim receives a phone call from someone posing as an IRS agent to collect taxes owed, and the caller even shows IRS. The caller is very aggressive, using the common fear of the IRS to rattle the victim. They provide their name and badge number, sounding very authentic. They vigorously pursue the victim, telling them they must pay immediately or they may be arrested, assets may be seized, more penalties will apply, etc.

Each of the two victims were kept on their cell phones while they went to a bank to cash out $6,000 and went to purchase money grams or other cash transfers to send to the thieves. They were also told to put those receipts in an envelope and mail it to the IRS. They were not allowed to hang up until everything was completed.

This may sound like something a person should recognize as a scam, but remember, we just passed Tax Day and the caller is very aggressive. Most people are scared of the IRS. Until you're in that situation, you don't know what you might do.

The IRS has information on their website, www.IRS.gov, in regards to these scams and what to do if you fall victim to an IRS scam. There are several scam variations; some want money and some just want your name and Social Security number.

The IRS will never:

--call to demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill

--threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying

--demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe

--require to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card

--ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money and you don't owe taxes, here's what you should do:

--do not give out any information, and hang up immediately

--contact TIGTA to report the call, and use their "IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting" web page or call 800-366-4484

--report it to the Federal Trade Commission, by using the "FTC Complaint Assistant" on FTC.gov, and add "IRS telephone scam" in the notes

--if you think you might owe taxes, phone the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.