From the BBB of Western Michigan
For the past weeks many West Michigan residents have been receiving phone calls that purport to be from the IRS, advising them that there is a problem with their federal income tax return. The BBB serving Western Michigan is being informed every day about phone calls supposedly from the IRS that become increasingly threatening, and ultimately demand money from you. The real IRS says they won’t call you, they will communicate by mail.
If you have been contacted by phone by someone claiming to be from the IRS, BBB suggests that you file a complaint at http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml. You can also call 1.800.366.4484.
The IRS says that this is the latest in a series of scams aimed at taxpayers in an effort to steal your identity. They caution that you should avoid giving out personal information over the phone unless you are positive that you have the real IRS on the line. Keep in mind that the IRS does not take tax payments over the phone; however, they have a number of payment options on their website at www.irs.gov.
Additionally, IRS Criminal Investigation does not collect payments of taxes. If you do receive a summons from IRS they’re not going to call you in advance. The IRS is working with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to try to stop these frauds. The IRS asks taxpayers to be diligent as they work to “protect taxpayers from the ongoing trend of phone scams pretending to be the IRS.”
BBB reminds you that the IRS will never ask you for personal information using email or social media as a first contact: your first contact with the IRS is usually by mail. The IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer or ask for a credit card number over the phone. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. And the IRS won’t use threatening language or claim that you’ll be reported to other agencies such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or local law enforcement.
