We have noticed an increase recently in aggressive phone call scams by criminals impersonating IRS agents. These scammers threaten arrest, deportation, license revocation and other enforcement actions. The callers may demand personal information — such as Social Security numbers and account PINs — or immediate payments over the phone using credit, debit or prepaid cards. This is all a scam, do not give them any information. The IRS will not call you out of the blue, they will send you requests through email and the mail first.
“Taxpayers across the nation face a deluge of these aggressive phone scams. Don’t be fooled by callers pretending to be from the IRS in an attempt to steal your money,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “We continue to say if you are surprised to be hearing from us, then you’re not hearing from us.”
Experts recommend when scammers call, do not answer. FTC and Federal Communications officials say that by letting the scammers know you’re a real person you may get your number put on a more valuable list of confirmed targets. If you don’t recognize a number, let it go to voicemail and if you pick up and realize it’s a scam, hang up.
You can also report the number to the FTC and use apps such as Hiya, Truecaller and Nomborobo, which alert you to known scammers.
If you believe you have fallen victim to a scammer please contact us immediately.
