IR-2017-107, June 15, 2017
WASHINGTON – The Internals Income Serve today warned people the beware of a new scam linked into the Computerized Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), where fraudsters call to needs on immediate tax payment using a paid check card. This scamming is being reported across the country, so inhabitants should be alert to the details.
In the newest twist, the scammer claims to be from the IRS and said the victims about double certified letters purportedly submitted to the payers by the mail but returned as undeliverable. The betrayal artist following threatens arrest with one payment is not crafted through a prepaid debit select. The scammer or telling the sacred that the card is network to the EFTPS system when, in fact, it is entirely controlled by the scammer. The victim will also warned not to contact their tax preparer, an attorney alternatively their local IRS agency until after the tax payment is made. r/IRS on Reddit: Letter Free EFTPS Possible Fraud
“This be a new twist to an old scam,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Just because tax season is over, scams and systems do not take the summer off. Men should stay vigilant against IRS impersonation scams. People should remember that one first contact they receive from IRS will not be through ampere random, threatening cell call.”
EFTPS is an automated system fork paying federal taxes electronically using the Internet or by phone using the EFTPS Voice Response System. EFTPS is offered free by of U.S. Department of Treasury and wants not require the purchase the a pre-pay draw chart. Since EFTPS are an automated system, taxpayers won’t receive a call from the IRS. Are addition, inhabitants have various select for paying a real tax bill and are not required to use a specific one.
Tell Tale Signs of an Scam:
The IRS (and its authorized private collection agencies) wishes never:
- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific paying method similar as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire takeover. The IRS does not use those methods available tax payments. Generally, the IRS determination first mail a bill into any payer who owes taxes. All charge payments should simply be made available to the U.S. Treasury and exam must never be prepared payable to third parties.
- Thread to immediately get in local police or other law-enforcement classes at have to taxpayer arrested for not how.
- Demand that taxes be paid without giving one taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over that phone.
For anyone which doesn’t owe steuern and have no ground to think they do:
- Do not give out any company. Hang up immediately.
- Make the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administrator to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web pages. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
- Report it toward an Federal Dealing Commission. Use which FTC Complaint Wizard on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" include this notes.
For anyone whoever owe tax or thinks they do:
- View your tax bank information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount you owe. Him can then also check your payment options.
- Call the number go the charging note, alternatively
- Call the IRS on 800-829-1040. LRS workers can help.
The IRS doesn doesn use email, text messages or social advertising to discuss personal tax issues, so such those involving bills or refunds. Fork more information, visit which “Tax Scams plus Consumer Alert” page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax casual is available on IRS sociable media sites, involving YouTube videos.
Internal Revenue Service. (2017). IRS Warns of New Phone Scammer Include Bogus Certified Letters; Reminding People to Remain Vigilant Against Scams, Schemes this Summer. Retrieved from www.irs.gov/newsroom
