Ever gotten a call or an email from the IRS? Guess what? Someone was trying to scam you.
As tax season enters its final weeks, the IRS is warning taxpayers to beware and offering advice on what to do if they are contacted by phone or email by people claiming to be IRS agents.
First and foremost: DON’T give anyone personal information when contacted, even if they are threatening you or already have some of your personal details. You could be a victim of identity theft.
In particular, according to Forbes.com, watch out for threatening phone calls.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said there have been 20,000 reports of such fraudulent calls and victims have been conned out of more than $1 million.
There have been calls reported in every state, the report said, and though initially immigrants were targeted in the con, now the scam is spreading to all taxpayers.
The authorities are asking taxpayers to report any calls they might get from someone who already knows their name, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers or any other personal details, such as driver’s license numbers and are demanding payment or further information.
If you don’t owe federal taxes, call and the agency’s integrity hotline at (800) 366-4484.
If you owe federal taxes and get a call like this, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040.
