Ring, Ring…It’s Not the IRS

IRS phone scams are on the rise, and protecting yourself starts with knowing the warning signs. Scammers often impersonate IRS agents, demand immediate payment, or threaten arrest. As your trusted advisors, we’re here to help you stay vigilant. Here are some simple protective measures to safeguard your finances and identity.

Common IRS Phone Scam Tactics

Threats of Arrest or Legal Action: Fraudsters claim you owe back taxes and will be arrested if you don’t pay immediately.
Demand for Immediate Payment: Scammers insist on payment via wire transfer, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards – payment methods the IRS never uses.
Spoofed Caller IDs: Calls may appear to come from “IRS” or other government numbers, but these are falsified.
Fake Refunds or Credits: Some scammers promise tax refunds or credits to lure victims into sharing personal information.
Unsolicited Electronic Contact: The IRS does not initiate contact via text, email, or social media.

How You Can Protect Yourself

Understand How the IRS Contacts Taxpayers: The IRS typically begins with official letters, not phone calls, texts, or emails. If you receive a genuine phone call from the IRS, you would already be aware of pending business with them – they would never call out of the blue. Furthermore, the IRS does not use text at all and rarely uses email.
Verify Before Acting: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the IRS directly at their official number: (800) 829-1040.
Never Share Sensitive Information: Do not disclose Social Security numbers, banking details, or credit card information over the phone, especially if you did not initiate the call.
Use Secure Payment Methods: The IRS only accepts payments through official channels like IRS.gov, and they only directly accept checks, bank account e-payments or credit cards. Credit cards are accepted only through 3^rd party IRS-approved processors, and this option is only available through the official IRS.gov website, never by phone.
Report Scams: Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov and report scam calls to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA): (800) 366-4484.
Contact Us: When in doubt, reach out to us. We can verify IRS communications and guide you through safe resolution steps.

Key Takeaways

The IRS will never demand immediate payment over the phone.
Threats of arrest or deportation are red flags.
Always verify IRS communications through official channels.

Closing Note

At Dillwood Burkel & Millar, protecting clients from fraud is as important as managing their taxes. Staying informed and cautious is the best defense against IRS phone scams. If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact us immediately – we’re here to help safeguard your financial well-being.