By Brian Ravencraft
It is always important to be on guard when it comes to possible scams. However, this time of year you should have that guard up just a bit higher since scammers posing as the IRS are busier than ever. Scammers are becoming increasingly crafty in their ways it seems. Here are a few examples of scams to be on the look out for according to the IRS.
Signs of a scam
If you receive a call from someone claiming that they can suspend or cancel your SSN or they request funds from you in any form, you are almost certainly dealing with a scammer. The scammer is trying to scare people into returning voicemails and calls. Here are some things to keep in mind that the IRS will never do according to their website:
- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a gift card or wire transfer.
- Ask a taxpayer to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying
- Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Most common scams
- Phone scams — these are still quite common. If you get a voicemail from someone saying that if you do not call back and give the information, they are requesting they will take legal action, this is a scam. In some of the calls they claim a warrant will be issues for your arrest. The IRS states on their website that they…
