From Immigrants to All Taxpayers, The IRS Phone Scam Expands

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Jan. 27, 2015 - PRLog -- Bolder than ever, the IRS Tax phone scammers have gone from initially targeting the most vulnerable, the elderly and immigrants to turning their attention to all American taxpayers. This is no time to let your guard down if you receive a call from someone claiming to be an IRS representative.

These scammers threaten deportation to those who are not American born and they threaten jail time to others. For starters, let’s just clarify a few things. The IRS does not threaten taxpayers, nor do they have the authority to issue arrest warrants. So do not be afraid of anyone who says otherwise.

The IRS, as well and other officials across the U.S., have continued to issue warnings ever since the scam first surfaced a few years ago. However, the scammers are sophisticated and so far have avoided being caught. They hide their location by using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). This allows phone conversations to take place over the Internet making it impossible to trace calls. In addition they use technology that makes it appear to the victim that they are receiving a call from the IRS 800 number.

Anyone who has ever been behind in paying taxes knows that the IRS sends formal notice through the US mail. If you or your business has owed very large amounts in back taxes, an IRS Representative may have visited you in person. But, this you can be certain of: The IRS never initiates contact with a phone call.  Any phone call from the IRS should make anyone suspicious.

Could you imagine if the IRS went around terrorizing Americans, treating them disrespectfully and aggressively, threatening them with arrest and deportation? What kind of America would that be? These scammers, while they may be technologically sophisticated and capable of frightening some Americans, will soon discover that they can pull the wool over the eyes of some, but that Americans will shut them down eventually.

Be alert. Be vigilant. We all know better than to give strangers financial information over the phone. Whether we are asked for a social security number, banking information, or to make a deposit into a PayPal account with a debit card, our instincts tell us the answer is a resounding “NO”! Could you imagine the IRS telling a taxpayer they can’t take  those usual forms of payment. It’s unheard of. So don’t fall for the transparent lies of these phone frauds. Hang up. Call the real IRS. Call the Better Business Bureau. Call a tax attorney.

Below are a few of the techniques scammers employ:

Use common names and provide fake IRS badge numbers.
Know the last four digits of the victim's Social Security number.
Make it appear as if the IRS is really calling.
Send fake IRS emails to support their scam.
Call a second time claiming to be the police or DMV to support their claim.

Another clue that the call is a scam is when the caller uses a phrase saying they are from the “Federal Investigation Department” of the IRS. And don’t even be fooled if the caller seems to know details about you. They do a little research. They use social media sites to gather information, so they may sound like they know something about you, but it will be irrelevant information. So, again, do not be afraid. Hang up the phone. Or ask for their number and tell them you’ll call them back. Once you’re onto them, they’ll be on their way to someone else. Keep them running until they run out of people who fall for their fear tactics. And remember what FDR, our 32^nd President of the United States said in his inaugural speech, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Jeffrey T. Jones is an attorney in Charleston, West Virginia.  He is licensed to practice in the State and Federal Courts of West Virginia and in the State of North Carolina.  He is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law.

He is past President of the West Virginia Association for Justice and has been honored as Member of the Year.  He has also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in West Virginia.  He has appeared in USA TODAY as an Emerging Business Leader To Watch.

In his work, he helps individuals and businesses solve their IRS problems.  He is the author of the bestselling book “Protect and Defend” and also wrote the book “Dealing with and IRS Problem”. He has also written Special Reports dealing with business payroll taxes and ways to solve your IRS problems.

He also represents persons injured or killed in accidents and has written the West Virginia Automobile Accident Injury Guide and a Special Report dealing with car accidents, personal injury and insurance companies.