Scams are everywhere these days! You get random emails and phone calls from scammers trying to steal your identity or your money! Unfortunately, there are IRS scams too!

IRS Impersonation Scams

Scammers pose as IRS officials and contact taxpayers via phone, email, or mail and demand immediate payment for taxes. They often use threats of arrest, deportation or license revocation. 

What to do– The IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. 

Refund Scams

The scammer contacts the victim, usually by phone, claiming to be from a retailer or online platform. They inform the victim of an unauthorized purchase and offer a refund. The scammer then requests personal information to remote access to the victim’s computer to process the refund. In some cases, the scammer claims to have refunded too much money and asks the victim to return the excess amount, often wire transfer or gift cards. 

What to do- Do not provide personal information or remote access to your computer to unsolicited callers. Verify the legitimacy of the call by contacting the company directly using official contact information.

Phishing Scams

Fraudulent emails or websites trick recipients into providing personal information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card details and passwords. These scams often appear as legitimate communications from financial institutions of the IRS.

What to do- Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails. Always verify the sender’s identity. 

Tech Support Scams

Scammers pretend to be tech support from well known companies, convincing victims that their computers and infected with viruses of malware. They gain remote access to the victim’s computer and steal personal information or install malicious software.

What to do– Never grant remote access to your computer to unknown individuals. Contact the company directly using official contact information, 

If you know anyone who has been scammed or is having any issues with the IRS, please have them contact Phil Garnett CPA as soon as possible