IRS Scam-Long but Worth Reading and Sharing

The IRS is warning people about a phone and e-mail scams. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. The IRS does not ask for PIN or credit card numbers over the phone, nor requests pre-paid debit cards or wire transfers and they don’t initiate contact by e-mail, text or social media. If someone unexpectedly calls or you receive an e-mail  claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.

Be careful! Lots of #IRSscam during #TaxSeason.  #scamAlert. #IRS:  If A Caller Says, ‘I Am With The IRS,’ He’s Not. https://n.pr/1IVwGjt

This poor lady was not that lucky https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Police-Hunt-Launched-Woman-IRS-Scam-298570921.html

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) was established under the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 to provide independent oversight of IRS activities. TIGTA promotes the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of the internal revenue laws. It is also committed to the prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse within the IRS and related entities.

Call 1:

Call 2:

Call #3:
On April 6, 2015, another call from yet a different number trying to pull this scam on us.

Here’s the transcript:
Foresee that can do to buy you a stranger. We have been sending you a serious interest in going this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance for my just we charge for the Grand Jury four federal criminal. Offense number is (828) 528-2690. I repeat (285) 282-6952 to call please thank you.

Other characteristics of this scam include:

• Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
• Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
• Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.
• Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls.
• Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
• After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484. More information is available on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.

If you would like to report online, use this website.

Here’s the transcript from the calls received today.

Call 1:

Hi this message is intended to contact you my name is Pat it’s ferguson and I am calling regarding enforcement actions. Thank you did my Us Treasury intend you received a detention ignoring. This really being intentional second attempt to avoid any shown up yet is before images judge are good and Judys for regular criminal offense. My number is (540) 315-3944. I repeat (540) 315-3944 i’d like you to call but it with us and help us to help you thanks.

Call 2:

Hey and I am calling regarding enforcement actions executed may Us Treasury continuacy detention ignoring. This really being intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before the magistrate judge are good and Judy for the criminal offense. My number is (540) 315-3944. I repeat (540) 315-3944 i’d like you to call but it with us and help us to help you thanks.