Just because tax season has ended doesn’t mean you are free from tax-related scams. In fact, we continue to learn that it’s never really a good idea to ever get too comfortable. Here’s a list of some newer schemes popping up and how they work to ultimately rip off hard-working taxpayers.
We already know that tax scams are at their peak during tax season (makes sense, right?). But these days, summer is proving to be a prime time for people to fall prey to scammers as well. With so many tactics at their disposal, it’s unnerving just how easy it is to become a scammer’s target. Scams currently making the rounds include:
EFTPS骗局
Scams impacting the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) have already cheated people nationwide and show no sign of slowing down. You’ll know you’ve been targeted when you will get a call from somebody claiming to be from the IRS who will go on to demand immediate tax payment and that the two letters they supposedly mailed to you had been returned as undeliverable. When you question the caller, the scam artist will then threaten you with legal action or even arrest if a payment is not made immediately. As if these threats weren’t enough, the scammer will then warn you to avoid talking to your tax expert, attorney or IRS office until payment has been made.
预先录制好的消息
用这种方法, the scammer will request that you call back the number indicated in the message immediately. 未能这样做, according to the recording, will result in a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Those who do call the number back will be prompted to pay the fictitious tax bill with a prepaid debit card or by wire transfer. Remember the IRS will NEVER leave an urgent recording requesting a call back.
私人催收骗局
Another scam on the rise occurs when a scammer contacts you pretending to be a third-party collection agency calling on behalf of the IRS. 不要上当. 第一个, only certified agencies will call to discuss a tax debt. 第二个, a call with a third-party collection agency will certainly not be the first time you’ve been notified about outstanding IRS debt. 和第三, if you’ve been working with the IRS on a debt-related matter, you will likely be expecting a follow-up call long before this kind of call happens. In short – a debt collection call from the IRS is not something that simply materializes out of the blue.
人 With Limited English Skills
美国各地, those with limited English language skills have been targeted by phone and email scams. 第一个, scammers will use one’s native language to engage in a conversation then they will proceed to threaten you with deportation, arrest or even license revocation. Finally, scammers will tell you that, to avoid any consequences, the debt must be paid immediately.
了解信号
It appears as though scammers are getting better at their craft and have developed some in-depth tricks designed to cheat people out of money. Don’t let this happen to you. 第一个, learn the signs of a tax-related scam then react appropriately.
税务诈骗的危险信号
- Caller demands immediate payment via a prepaid debit card or wire transfer.
- Caller says that the local authorities will be contacted (and you may be arrested) if the payment is not made.
- Caller doesn’t give you the chance to question or appeal the debt owed.
- Caller asks for a credit card or debit card number over the phone.
美国国税局永远不会……
- Initiate contact with you by email, text or social media channels.
- Threaten you with lawsuits, imprisonment or enforcement action.
- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to dispute the amount.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
该怎么做
If you think you are being targeting by scammers, keep calm and follow these steps.
- NEVER give out personal information.
- 使用 IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting 呼叫或拨打800.366.4484 to alert the authorities.
- Report the activity on the Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant website and add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
Scammers are always deploying new tactics in the hopes of claiming new victims. You can help stop them by educating yourself and your family and friends about these scams and which red flags to watch for. You can also find other great tips in the articles below or you can 电子邮件的意图 & 比较靠谱的赌博软件 for help with specific concerns.
By Lesley Mast，注册会计师 (伍斯特办公室)