They may look and sound real—or nearly so. But don’t be fooled. Here are some common ways to tell if that tax collection letter, email, text or phone message you just received might be bogus.
First, know this:
- Collection agencies. For certain overdue tax debts, the IRS will send a letter to the taxpayer letting them know it has turned their case over to one of the three private debt collection agencies, or PCAs, that it authorizes to settle the debt. The IRS letter will confirm assignment of the taxpayer’s account to one of the three PCA’s. The IRS assigns a taxpayer’s account to only one of these agencies but never to all three. The IRS authorizes no other private groups to represent the IRS. And one more thing: know that PCA representatives will identify themselves and ask for payment to the “U.S. Treasury” but will not ask for payment on a prepaid debit or gift card, and will not take enforcement action.
Second, take extra caution with these schemes, which continue to evolve and change:
- Text message scams. These scams are sent to taxpayers’ smartphones and can reference things like COVID-19 and/or “stimulus payments.” These messages often contain bogus links claiming to be IRS websites or other online tools. Other than IRS Secure Access, the IRS does not use text messages to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. The IRS also will not send taxpayers messages via social media platforms. If you receive an unsolicited SMS/text that appears to be from either the IRS or a program closely linked to it, take a screenshot of the text message and include the screenshot in an email to your accountant and to phishing@irs.gov with the following information:
- The date, time and time zone that received the text message, and
- The phone number that received the text message.
- The IRS reminds everyone NOT to click links or open attachments in unsolicited, suspicious or unexpected text messages, whether from the IRS, state tax agencies or others in the tax community.
- Email phishing scams. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. It initiates most contacts through regular mail. Report any suspicious emails to your accountant and forward any suspicious email you may be getting as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov.
- Phone scams. The IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening phone messages. In many variations of the phone scams, victims are told if they do not call back, a warrant will be issued for their arrest. Ignore these, and know that other bogus scams may include threats of law enforcement agency intervention, deportation, or revocation of licenses. Criminals also can fake or “spoof” caller ID numbers to appear to be from anywhere in the country, including from an IRS office, itself. This kind of phone scam prevents taxpayers from being able to verify the caller’s true number. Fraudsters also have spoofed local sheriff’s offices, state departments of motor vehicles, federal agencies and others—all in an effort to convince unsuspecting taxpayers that these bogus calls are legitimate.
Take comfort in the fact that the IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
Know, too, that the IRS will never threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you or anyone else arrested for not paying, nor demand that taxes be paid without providing an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
The IRS also will never ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Getting calls like this? Hang up immediately. Never send checks that are made payable to third parties. Only the U.S. Treasury gets IRS payments.
Still in doubt? Schedule an appointment with one of our tax consultants here at Rock&Hammer—and at your earliest convenience. We can help to ease your fears—and get clarity on any messages or letters you receive. We also can review your tax status, help you with any tax challenge you may have, or provide you with any other forms of no-fear help to make things right—and avoid any trouble from the start.
We’re reputed for calming taxpayer fears and working out solutions to any challenges they or you may be having.
Need help? We’re here for you — and trusted by thousands. Give us a shout.
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