By now you’ve probably noticed an influx of commercials on TV and radio from various companies looking to help you with filing your taxes this year, so that can only mean one thing… tax season has returned! There are plenty of articles that will tell you how to file your taxes and when you can expect to receive your tax return, but we wanted to take a minute to offer some reminders on how to handle fraudulent activity while you are filing your taxes this year. There is no off-season for fraud and scams, so be prepared this tax season!
Directly from the official website of the IRS, the below actions will NEVER be taken against you during tax season and any call or unexpected request you receive that is perceived to be from the “IRS” need to be reported!1
The IRS will never:
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Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
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Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
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Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
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Call unexpectedly about a tax refund.
In order to report a fraudulent situation, the IRS encourages everyone record the number that is calling you and then immediately hang up the phone. The IRS then asks that you report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) using their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling them at 800-366-4484. And lastly, report the number you recorded to phishing@irs.gov and be sure to put "IRS Phone Scam" in the subject line.1
These actions will help the IRS identify sources of fraud and help prevent other from falling victim to similar schemes. Do your part and be vigilant this tax season! If you ever receive contact from someone purporting to be from the IRS and they use a similar method to those listed above, please identify this call as a scam and report it!
For additional information and resources on filing your taxes this year, please visit www.irs.gov. If you have any questions about a situation that you think might be fraudulent, please do not hesitate to ask a CES Credit Union associate.
Source
1- https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayers-beware-tax-season-is-prime-time-for-phone-scams