IRS Warns of Sophisticated Telephone Scams Targeting Taxpayers
(PRWEB) January 14, 2014 -- 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 DTR, 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 DTR’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 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 “Phising” 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 a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.
“We get calls every week at DTR,” 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 DTR 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 a authentic tax relief firm like DTR 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 Offers 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, call Direct Tax Relief now at (877) 505-4829 for a free tax consultation or visit their website at directtaxrelief.com for more details. Their tax experts will take over all communications with the IRS and handle your case from beginning to end.
Pet Natividad, Direct Tax Relief, http://directtaxrelief.com, +1 (877) 505-4829, [email protected]
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