When it comes to ripping off innocent victims, tax scammers are stepping up their game.
In recent months, the IRS has seen a surge in these scams, known as phishing, as scam artists threaten police arrest, deportation, license revocation, hefty penalties and other things. Of course, these threats are not real.
Signs to look for that may indicate you’ve received a scam include poor grammar, spelling errors, and lack of identifying information about the taxpayer.
Just a reminder, the IRS will NEVER initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.
What to do if you fear you have received suspicious IRS-related communication:
Emails:
- Don’t reply.
- Don’t open any attachments. They can contain malicious code that may infect your computer or mobile phone.
- Don’t click on any links.
- Forward email as-is to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov
- Delete the original email.
Phone Calls:
- Record the employee’s name, badge number, call back number, and called ID if available.
- Call the IRS at 1-800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee with a legitimate need to contact you.
Letter or Notice
- Go to the IRS Home Page and search on the letter, notice, or form number to confirm it is a valid form.
For more information, please visit the IRS website here.
