IRS Warns of Sophisticated Telephone Scams Targeting Taxpayers

by Harry Galstian

January 14, 2014

Direct Tax Relief takes increased calls from taxpayers who have been contacted by scammers saying they owe money to the IRS and must be paid rapidly.

On October 31, 2013, the IRS issued a warning to all taxpayers concerning a sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers throughout the country.

Taxpayers are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid rapidly 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.

According to senior enrolled agent Maurice Rosaler at Direct Tax Relief, a former revenue officer with the IRS for almost two decades, “If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay your taxes immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.” Rosaler noted that the first IRS contact with taxpayers on a tax issue is likely to occur via mail.

According to Direct Tax Relief’s Rosaler who has been involved in tax relief and resolution for over 26 years the 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 and they spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling. Sometimes, Rosaler noted, the scammers send bogus IRS emails to victims to support their bogus calls.

“The email scam,” said Rosaler, “has been going on for years. Remember, the IRS will never send you an email. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any other type of electronic communication such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for a credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. And of course you should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message.”

The IRS calls the deceptions “Phishing” and warns all taxpayers to be extra careful as tax season comes around to the scammers. The IRS warning also stated that Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.

“We get calls every week at Direct Tax Relief,” Rosaler pointed out, “from taxpayers who have been contacted by the scammers. We advise the callers that it is a scam and what to do. As most of the callers have outstanding tax issues and liabilities they often then turn to us at Direct Tax Relief to help them resolve their tax case with the IRS in their best interest in a legitimate manner.”

“The best place to get genuine help,” concluded the senior enrolled agent, “is to look for an authentic tax relief firm like Direct Tax Relief which is listed with the BBB with an A rating and zero complaints.”

Direct Tax Relief has extensive experience in tax resolution and has represented numerous clients since 2007 providing professional legal tax advice to resolve tax matters including Offer in Compromise, levy and garnishment release, appeal penalties, and establishing minimal payment plans to the government.

If you have unfiled tax returns or owe the IRS or state over $10,000 in back taxes, contact Direct Tax Relief and learn about the IRS tax relief programs, including IRS payment programs. We are a tax debt relief company that can help resolve back taxes with our team of enrolled agents and tax attorneys. Avoid wage garnishments and penalties and contact us today.

Source: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam