What you need to know about Scams, Cons, and Fake tax schemes!
Thousands of US Citizens fall victim to tax scams annually. The problem is real, and it can happen to anyone. These tips will help you avoid costly tax schemes:
What to watch out for:
Scammers will try to contact you through email, text messages, telephone calls or social media. The IRS will NEVER initiate contact with a taxpayer via email, text, telephone or social media!!!!
The IRS will NEVER demand immediate payment by wire transfer, credit card, debit card, check by phone or gift card. Generally, the IRS will send you a notice or tax bill in the mail with a detailed explanation for any amount due.
The IRS will NEVER threaten to bring police, law-enforcement or immigration officers to have you arrested for not paying.
The IRS cannot revoke your drivers license, business license or immigration status.
The IRS will only instruct you to make a payment payable to the “United States Treasury”.
What the IRS can do:
An IRS representative can visit you. However, they will ALWAYS provide two (2) forms of Identification/credentials. *See HSPD-12 below. You have the right to see these credentials and verify the information with the IRS. The HSPD-12 will have a dedicated telephone number for you to call to verify the information and identity of the representative.
An IRS representative can call or come to a home or business to collect a tax debt. They will NOT demand an immediate payment to any source other than the “United States Treasury”.
The IRS can assign cases to private debt collectors – but only after you have been given Written Notice. Payments collected by a debt collector should only be made payable to the “United States Treasury”. There are other ways to settle a tax debt. **You can find alternative ways to pay at www.irs.gov/payments.
If you are under audit, the IRS can schedule audit appointments with you by telephone. However, first the IRS will notify you by mail.
BEWARE OF IMPERSONATORS!
These scammers will try to reach out to you in many ways. You must be diligent and take care to only disclose sensitive information to the appropriate agencies. Do Not Give out your Social Security Number, Credit Card Numbers, Address, Bank information, etc… and be very wary of anyone that asks for this information!!!! Make sure that you are speaking with a valid IRS Representative.
Remember:
The IRS will never threaten, bully or intimidate you into making a payment. The IRS very rarely calls anyone on the telephone. The IRS will always reach out to a taxpayer via written notices sent through the mail (U.S. Postal Service). You have the right to verify any representative claiming to work for the IRS. If you are in doubt, tell the representative to CONTACT YOUR TAX PREPARER! If you need assistance or have a question, call the office – we can help!
*Information about IRS Credentials https://www.fedidcard.gov/credential-features
**The easiest and most secure payment method is the online Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/ You will need to complete a quick enrollment but this option does not charge any processing fees and you will receive a confirmation number directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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