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Scammers claiming to be IRS; calls and emails continue with tax deadline approaching
Scams using the IRS as a lure will continue to circulate. Most commonly, scams come in the form of phone calls and emails from thieves who pretend to be from the IRS. They may use the IRS name, logo or a similar sounding website to try to steal your money. Be wary of sudden phone calls or automated messages from someone who claims to be from the IRS. If you are contacted by these scammers, they may say you owe money and must pay right away. Other times they may tell you that they owe you a refund and ask for your bank account information over the phone. The following are several tips that will help you avoid becoming a victim of these scams. The real IRS: - Will NOT call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS won't call you if you owe back taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.
- Will NOT demand tax payment without allowing you to question or appeal the amount you owe.
- Will NOT require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For example, demand that you pay with a prepaid debit card.
- Will NOT ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Will NOT threaten to bring in local police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.
- Will NOT threaten you with a lawsuit.
If you don't owe taxes or have no reason to think that you do: If you think you may owe taxes: - Ask for an employee badge number.
- Call the IRS at 800.829.1040. IRS employees can either confirm that you are speaking to a real employee, or help you report a scam.
In most cases, an IRS phishing scam is an unsolicited, bogus email that claims to be from the IRS. They often use fake refunds, phony tax bills, or threats of an audit. Some emails link to false websites that can look very real. The scammer's goal is to lure victims to give up their personal and financial information. If they get what they want, they use it to steal victims' money and identity. If you receive a phishing email, the IRS offers this advice: - Don't reply to the message.
- Don't give out your personal or financial information.
- Report the email to the IRS.
- Don't open any attachments or click on any links. They may have malicious software that could infect your computer.
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