• December 17, 2015
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No matter whether we talk about Dallas, Texas or Washington DC, every year, thousands of American taxpayers are conned by crooks masquerading as IRS agents demanding tax payments. The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA) has so far received more than 20,000 fraud complaints in which taxpayers lost more than $1 million. Numerous phone scams have also hit unsuspecting taxpayers in almost every state in America. In these scams, an individual makes a phone call to a taxpayer, claiming to be an IRS official and demanding tax payments. The calls are mostly made during the tax filing season.

Considering the gravity of phone scams and the surge in such unsolicited phone calls, the TIGTA has issued a scam alert warning taxpayers about such fraudulent activities. Let’s delve deeper into the problem.

Phone Scam: How it Works?

A caller claiming to be an IRS official tells a vulnerable taxpayer that they owe the department a certain amount in unpaid taxes that they must pay by using a debit card or wire transfer. Those who refuse to play ball get threatened with deportation, arrest, or loss of business, or driver’s license, which explains the increasing number of people falling prey to such crooks.

What You Must Know?

Before contacting people about their tax debts by phone, the IRS first sends notification by mail. The department also never asks for prepaid debit card payments or wire transfers in settling tax liabilities, nor will never they ask you to provide your credit card credentials over the phone. If someone calls you claiming to be an IRS official and asking for your credit card details and threatening you to pay immediately, it is fraudulent.

Typical Patterns in Scam Phone Calls

Scammers who call you in the name of the IRS often:

  • Use common names and may also share bogus IRS badge numbers
  • Usually know the last four digits of your social security number
  • Encrypt caller ID to appear as if someone from the IRS is making the call
  • Send phony IRS emails to convince you

Sharpen your skills and listen to your instincts. If you feel the caller is not genuine, disconnect the call immediately and discuss the call with a Dallas tax attorney.

Keeping Your Guard Up

Here’s what to do to avoid being a victim of phone scams:

  • If you owe taxes and receive a phone call asking for the payment, the first thing you should do is hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
  • If you don’t owe any taxes and still receive a call asking for payment, call and report the incident to TIGTA at 800-366-4484.

In addition, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on their website: www.FTC.gov. Make sure you add ‘IRS phone scam’ in the comment section of your complaint.

The Bottom Line

US taxpayers need to watch out for the various phone and email scams that are perpetrated in the name of the IRS. In addition to tax fraud, there are various other related and unrelated scams you should be aware of, such as lottery sweepstakes. Keep important IRS contact numbers handy and if you suspect any caller, contact the hotline immediately. Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov to verify the authenticity of the communication, and do not open or click on any link in those emails. Keep these simple rules in mind to avoid being victim to such scams.

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What Our Clients Have to Say

Susan WilsonSusan Wilson
03:27 25 Jan 23
I have been very pleased with the solid counsel and guidance that Nick Nemeth has provided me regarding my tax issue. I found him to be honest and straightforward which I appreciated. I was impressed with his relevant experience and knowledge . He has definitely brought me peace of mind during a difficult and stressful time.
Sarah HowardSarah Howard
03:44 14 Nov 22
I would like to thank Mr. Nick and his staff for the superb help that I received from them. My IRS problem was resolved quickly and efficiently. It took 2 visits to convince me that I was over my head. I thought that I could call the IRS, appeal my tax notices and settle on a payment plan on my own. After many phone calls to the IRS, waiting sometimes more than 4 hours with no resolution to speak of, it proved to be extremely difficult and stressful. Revisiting Mr. Nick was a huge wake up call. My account was reviewed, and a payment plan was established with the IRS within a week. I will be forever grateful to the staff who worked on my case and especially to Lorna who listened to me vent while going through this painful process.
M WM W
00:33 07 Aug 22
I cannot say enough good things about Nick and his team. When I first met with Nick he was up front, honest, friendly and efficient. When I worked with one of his attorneys, Eric B, I was just as pleased. All of the staff there are nice and very helpful. I wish I hadn't waited so long to get help with my issue. Over 6yrs I tried getting through and getting anywhere with the IRS and hardly made any progress. I know this may not be the case for all, and even I thought it would take longer than it did, but 3mos and they had my situation straightened out. I still can't believe it. Thank you thank you THANK YOU for all that you did for me. This is a huge burden gone out of my life now thanks to you. If anyone needs help out there, I know you may not want to shell out more money to get their help but it may just save you in the long run.
Spoilly GirlSpoilly Girl
23:49 03 Aug 22
The Nemeth Law team is exceptional. They treat their clients like a family member who is in crisis. They want you to get the best possible outcome. I really appreciate everything that they did for me. Jake and Ashley had the greatest role in my case and it all turned out for the best for me. Thank you Nick and team for easing my fears and getting me through the long process. I'm truly grateful.
Eddie WaltEddie Walt
19:44 12 Jul 22
During a time in which competent, professional service at a fair price seems to have disappeared, Mr. Nemeth and his team are a refreshing breath of fresh air.From my first phone call to the final settlement of our case with a non-responsive IRS, they under-promised, over-delivered and were in constant courteous contact to make sure we knew exactly what was happening and where we stood.I hope to never need their services again, but, should I receive another friendly letter from the IRS...I know who to call!
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