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download (1)WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to stay vigilant against an increase of IRS impersonation scams in the form of automated calls and new tactics from scammers demanding tax payments on iTunes and other gift cards.

The IRS has seen an increase in “robo-calls” where scammers leave urgent callback requests through the phone telling taxpayers to call back to settle their “tax bill.” These fake calls generally claim to be the last warning before legal action is taken. Once the victim calls back, the scammers may threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the driver’s license of the victim if they don’t agree to pay.

“It used to be that most of these bogus calls would come from a live-person. Scammers are evolving and using more and more automated calls in an effort to reach the largest number of victims possible,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Taxpayers should remain alert for this summer surge of phone scams, and watch for clear warning signs as these scammers change tactics.”

In the latest trend, IRS impersonators are demanding payments on iTunes and other gift cards. The IRS reminds taxpayers that any request to settle a tax bill by putting money on  any form of gift card is a clear indication of a scam. READ MORE

 

Unfortunately, many people are the victims of IRS impersonation scams and The Kane Firm’s clients are no exception.  The IRS is waring us of yet another surge in scam activity.

 

If you believe you are a potential victim of a scam, you may take the following steps:

  • If you owe taxes or think you may owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can assist you.
  • If you have no reason to believe that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made threats), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax at 1.800.366.4484.
  • You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Scams and Rip-offs” and then “Impostor or Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

 


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