No, the IRS is not trying to scam you.
But people POSING as the IRS are, in a number of ways – emails, phone calls, and text messages.
DO NOT BE FOOLED!!
You may have heard about the scams where people are getting phone calls, allegedly from the IRS, threatening criminal action or claiming people owe money to the IRS when they don’t, or who claim your tax returns were fraudulent. Be aware that these scams are alive and well, rampant, and unfortunately many have succumbed to these scammers and lost money.
I received my very own text message from the “IRS” just the other day – and I quote:
“WARNING: Criminal Investigation Division of I.R.A. is filing a lawsuit against you, for more information call on +1-6465830596 on urgent basis otherwise your arrest warrant will be forwarded to your local police department and your properties, social benefits and bank accounts will be freezed by the government.”
The originating phone number of the text is 202-660-9448.
Of course I reported it, following these directions from this IRS site where you can report phishing, phone calls, emails and other communications that are scams. I’m not sure what the IRS will do with them but that’s their issue. I just want them to know.
And, the same day I got a voice mail, from “Officer Marcus Brown.”
Do a Google search and you’ll see him listed, along with the phone number 646-583-0596, the same one listed in the text message I received.
According to Officer Brown I have been a bad boy…”I am calling from Criminal Investigation Division of IRS. The matter at hand is extremely time sensitive and urgent. As after all, we found that there is a fraud and misconduct on your tax which you are hiding from the Federal government. This needs to be rectified immediately so do return the call as soon as you receive the message. The number is 646-583-0596. Thank you.”
Just how stupid do you think I am? It gave me great pleasure to report him. I don’t know if it will stop this nonsense but it was important to do. And I have blocked the text and phone numbers on my phone.
I haven’t received my email from the IRS, yest, but suspect that will still happen!
The sad thing is that some people are getting threatening calls from people purporting to be the IRS and are intimidated into providing social security numbers and worse.
It’s important to know that the IRS DOES NOT CALL, EMAIL, OR SEND TEXT MESSAGES. These are all scams, so beware…and please share with those you care about.
Have you had the pleasure of a call, email or text from the IRS?