if the IRS calls you, it’s NOT the IRS
Today I got called by someone claiming to be the IRS. They left three identical automated voicemail messages before I woke up, telling me that I needed to call them immediately and that it was urgent.
Upon calling them at the number they gave, I was told that due to some mistakes with my taxes there was a WARRANT FOR MY ARREST, and that if the matter was not solved DURING THAT PHONE CALL, police officers would come ARREST ME AT MY HOUSE in 30-35 minutes.
They used a bunch of scare tactics and sounded fairly convincing.
I told them I was going to verify with the police, hung up, and called the local police. Before I got out more than “Someone called me claiming to be the IRS–” the police officer said “Oh that’s a scam. The IRS will never call you on the phone.”
After talking to a handful of people about this today and looking it up on the IRS website, here’s what I’ve learned:
- The IRS will never call you on the phone about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- The IRS will never ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- The IRS will never threaten to bring any law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- The IRS will never use email, texts or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue involving bills or refunds.
- If the IRS has a problem with your taxes, you will be given months to handle to situation. The government does not call you and require immediate action. If someone is calling you requiring you to respond instantly, they are not the government. It’s a scam.
- If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the IRS in any way (email, phone, mail, fax, etc.) and it seems suspicious or you just want to double check, this is the official IRS website’s recommendations for how to handle and report it.
- This one might be obvious but just in case: NEVER give out your Social Security Number over the phone, or in any other context unless it is absolutely vital.
These scam artists try to scare you into making fast choices based in panic and fear. If someone contacting you is trying to scare you into giving them money, they are not the government.
If you know anyone who has anxiety, English isn’t their first language, or who has reasons to be extra afraid of the threat of police, or any other reasons for this type of scam to be especially stressful or effective, please make sure you give them this information. Tell your friends, your siblings, your coworkers, your parents, your grandparents. Please spread this information.
A similar scam has been going around Portland, but instead of the IRS they claim to be the electric company and your power will be shut off immediately if you do not pay them in a very specific way during the phone call. A lot of older folk, ESL speakers, and small business owners have been taken in, because there’s nothing quite as terrifying as having your living situation threatened.
