IRS TAX SCAMS: DON'T GET BLINDSIDED BY CON ARTISTS

July 1, 2015
 
Clair Law Offices, S.C. desires to make you aware of recent IRS tax scams that may affect anyone.
 
Warning: Con artists are calling unsuspecting victims and pretending to be from the IRS. The caller threatens the victim with arrest for the nonpayment of a fictitious tax debt unless payment is made quickly and by some specified method. These con artists have often obtained personal information such as Social Security numbers, income information, and home addresses that they use to convince the victim that the call is authentic. These calls are scams.
 
The IRS will never:
·         Call to demand immediate payment, nor will they call about a debt without first having mailed a bill or notice;
·         Demand that taxes are paid without first allowing the chance to question or appeal the asserted debt;
·         Require payment by a specific method (such as a prepaid debit card);
·         Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone;
·         Threaten arrest for nonpayment.
 
It is no secret that the IRS has a lot of power, but they cannot levy on accounts, garnish wages, or seize assets without providing you advance written notice of the debt and their intention to take such action. These notices will also give you the opportunity to challenge the debt or any threatened collection action. If you receive anything in writing from the IRS, you should contact an attorney before you respond.
 
Under no circumstances will the IRS call and threaten arrest for the nonpayment of tax. If you have resolved an existing debt by installment agreement, Offer in Compromise or otherwise, the IRS will not call to threaten forced collection action if you continue to honor the terms of the resolution. If the IRS asserts a default of an agreed upon resolution, they will first do so by letter.
 
If you receive a call from an alleged IRS or U.S. Treasury Agent who threatens arrest or demands immediate payment, you should contact the U.S. Treasury Inspector General at (800) 366-4484 and file a FTC Complaint by visiting www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. Of course, you can always call Clair Law Offices at 262-728-9196 and we can help you determine whether any contact from the government is legitimate, and how best to respond.