Have you heard about "IRS Scams"? Here's how they work:
You get a call from someone who says that they are with the IRS. They claim you owe back taxes. They threaten to sue you, arrest or deport you, or revoke your license if you don't pay right away. They tell you to put money on a prepaid debit card and to relay the card numbers to them.
The caller may know your Social Security number. And your called ID might show a Washington, DC area code. But... is it really the IRS calling?
NO. The real IRS won't ask you to pay with prepaid debit cards or wire transfers. They also won't ask for a credit card over the phone. When the IRS first contacts you about unpaid taxes, they do it by mail, not by phone. And caller IDs can be faked.
Here's what you can do:
1. Stop. Don't wire money of pay with a prepaid debit card. Once you send it, the money is gone. If you have tax questions, go to irs.gov or call the IRS at 1-800-8229-1040.
2. Pass this information on to a friend. You may not have received one of these calls, but chances are that you know someone who will - if they haven't already.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a scam, please file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.
