It’s already terrifying enough dealing with the IRS if you owe a tax liability or if you just received a letter requesting more information. For those who are not familiar with how the IRS works, you could easily mistake any phone call, letter, or knock on the door for someone that works for the IRS. The IRS regularly sends out warnings to taxpayers to be cautious of tax scams and advises how to tell the difference between the IRS and a scammer.

Phishing

Be wary of any email you receive that states it’s directly from the IRS. The IRS will never email a taxpayer directly and will send a notice out via ground mail if they are requesting information or sending you a bill for due taxes. Typically, a scammer will encourage you to click on a link that is attached to an email they sent to you. Whatever you do, do not click on the link, as it is just a way for these con artists to access your personal information on your computer.  Phone Scams
If you are receiving calls from someone who claims that they are from the IRS, there’s a strong chance they aren’t who they say they are.  Usually these callers will say that you owe them money and demand you pay up, often even threatening jail time. Very rarely does the IRS contact you over the phone, as they usually prefer to send you notices in the mail. If you receive a call from a supposed IRS agent, request their badge number. Sometimes scammers will provide a fake badge number, so it is strongly advised to then contact the IRS’s direct number and inquire if the badge number that was provided to you belongs to an actual agent. It is also important to make sure to never disclose any personal information over the phone to the person that you are speaking with until you have confirmed it is the IRS.

Fake Notices

At this point you’re pretty confident that you can snuff out a fake email or phone call, and you’re well aware that the IRS is more likely to send a notice if you actually owe a tax liability.  Be aware, however, that some scammers will send similar notices that are surprisingly convincing. In one version of a fake IRS letter, it states that taxes are owed to an agency that does not exist, such as the “Bureau of Tax Enforcement.” Another version of this letter claims that a warrant has been issued and that the taxpayer will be arrested if they do not pay the balance due. If you’re unsure if the notice you received is an authentic IRS notice, you can always check directly with the IRS to confirm if the notice actually came from them or if it was another scammer.

Identity Theft

Tax time brings with it tons of activity from tax scammers looking to steal taxpayer’s identity or personal information in order to falsely claim a refund.  These thieves will also charge their expenses to the compromised taxpayer, or worse, drain the bank accounts of the people they are stealing from. Always be sure to protect your personal data.  If you want to take extra precautionary measures, you can use credit monitoring to ensure your personal information has not been compromised.

Always be sure to keep your personal information safe and keep up to date with any changes that the IRS may be going through, so you understand what to expect. Always be cautious if you receive IRS phone calls threatening to arrest you, or if you’re sent a letter claiming a warrant has been placed against you unless you pay. You can protect yourself by verifying that the entity contacting you by reaching out to the IRS directly.

 

The content contained on this page is strictly for informational purposes and may not apply to your specific situation. We recommend you consult with a tax professional to evaluate your unique situation. Forward Tax does not provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice.

Posted in Taxes