IRS SCAM SIGNAL
Many seniors have lost millions of dollars to IRS scam related criminals. These scammers have perfected their act, and often target seniors for various reasons. Seniors are more prone to scams owing to their “good” nature and the changes in times. Here’s some hallmarks of scam operations.
The scammers will contact you in person, through a fake recorded phone call.
To avoid falling into their trap, it is important to note that the IRS will always communicate through mail which is delivered by the US postal service. In case they schedule a visit they often send you a notice through several letters. However, this differs in cases of criminal investigations where federal law enforcement agents visit your home or premise unannounced. Even so, they never demand immediate payments. When an IRS employee visits, they will provide official credentials in the form of a HSPD-12 card and a pocket commission. You have a right to ask to see the credentials and a dedicated phone number for IRS verification to confirm their identity. When conducting audits, if need be the IRS will schedule appointments but with a prior written notice.
Demand for urgent money transfer through gift cards, debit cards or wire transfers
A scammer may contact you posing as a debt collection agent demanding the return (to the agents account) of funds erroneously deposited to your account. IRS Scammers demand urgent money transfer through gift cards, debit cards or wire transfers. The IRS often mails bills to taxpayers. Any one calling demanding immediate payment for money through wire transfers, gift card or a debit card is a scam. The IRS payments are made to the United States treasury. When the IRS assigns a private debt collector to a given case, they will give the tax payer a prior written notice. However the private debt collectors will not demand payment through the above stated methods.
IRS scammers will use threats to cow their victims.
IRS scam perpetrators will instill fear in the senior victims by posing threats in an attempt to solicit funds from them. The IRS does not threaten you with immigration, blacklisting, bringing in local police to arrest you, and revoking your driver’s license or business license.
It is a constitutional right for all taxpayers to appeal or question the amount owed in taxes. A scammer will not give such an opportunity but rather use other methods in this article to create urgency for payment.
Taking advantage of natural disaster occurrences
In other cases, IRS scammers will use natural disasters to source money from generous taxpayers who are willing to help the victims. In some cases, the criminal will impersonate the IRS offering tax relief to the victims. They may also impersonate a well intended charity to collect private information or even funds through calls or emails. Others create fake websites with names similar to those of legitimate charities. It is therefore advisable when contributing to charities you make payment through check or credit card but never give cash. Never give personal financial information to anyone soliciting money for example bank account details, passwords and social security numbers.
Check out our article on some of the best jobs for seniors after retirement.
