S C A M

[bobm]

Yesterday, our #1 son received a phone call from a guy claiming to be from the IRS who demanded $ 2,179. 41 within 4 hours or the IRS would seize his bank account, car, or whatever to satisfy the tax debt. Now, my wife works for the IRS, is a trainer for new IRS hires, does our kids taxes as well as ours' . So, my son gets his phone number , calls back 15 minutes later, the guy says "hello " ( THe IRS always answers with IRS and then their name to confirm that the call is to the IRS ) Our son then tells the guy that MOM works for the IRS. This guy then tells our son that he is married to his MOM and is making collection calls for the IRS. Our son then tells him that DAD ( me ) is with the FBI and to expect a call in person from the armed FBI fraud division . The guy slammed down the phone. BE VERY CAREFUL in these types of calls as the IRS NEVER make collection calls to anyone ... collection contact is made by letter, if NO RESPONSE, then a written contact from a IRS REVENUE AGENT if the tax payer doesn't respond to the letters and makes first response by letter or phone call and makes arrangement to pay the tax debt. It would be very wise to inform your friends and relatives of this type of scam.

 

[Nyboy]

we have TV announcements about this scam, nothing puts a person in fear mode then a call from IRS.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

And there have been lots of ads in the local paper about this scam, cus the elderly fall for it.

 

[curly_kate]

I had an aunt call me once because she got one of those "Your computer is being held hostage by the FBI due to illicit activity until you send us money." She said she was pretty sure that it was a scam, but just wanted to be certain.

 

[valley ranch]

I wonder if they're calling from inside the U.S. or from Packisandia.

 

[bobm]

I wonder if they're calling from inside the U.S. or from Packisandia.

My son's local 559 area code - Fresno, Cal.

 

[Smart Red]

Has anyone ever heard of a letter scam like this?

A couple of years ago I got a letter from the IRS asking for me to send proof of my Schedule B, D, and F entries. I had snail mailed my forms. I then E-filed and wrote back to the IRS that I understood them wanting evidence for my Schedule D and F and would willingly send copies if needed, but figured they should have proof already of my Schedule B since every entry came with a paper stating the IRS had been given the information.

I never heard back from them and always wondered if it could have been a SCAM with the mailing address NOT being that of the IRS. Of course, it was not a question I wanted to bother the IRS with afterward. I doubt anyone willingly seeks interaction with them.

 

[bobm]

Red ... when the IRS computer senses an irregularity in a tax return, Tech support sends out a notice to the Business Audit Dept. of the IRS with only minimal information on the irregularity. When the Auditor sends out a notice of audit to a tax payer via US Mail with the IRS letterhead, auditor's name , office address , telephone number, they ask that the tax payer provide a copy of their tax returns so that they can go over the entire Schedule 1040, B, D, and F, etc. If the tax payer does not provide their requested tax form, and without any back up proof of tax deductions or income irregularities , the IRS will send the tax payer a tax due bill based on information that tax payer previously provided Tax payer may have a tizzy fit and / or poopy pants when they get the bill. It just may be to your best advantage if you made a phone call to the IRS office to find out if the letter sent to you was legitimate or not right after the receipt of the letter. The IRS will eventually track it down if legitimate , then invite one to an person to person audit interview .

 

[majorcatfish]

the irs scam is one of the oldest scams around, we have had a couple calls over the years even with caller id the number comes up a irs...really we do not pick up.
no message of course, off they go to the next number....

personally i love the the telemarketers calling me at work saying that their my lighting or chemical rep, of course their number comes up as anonymous. depending on my mood might just hang up or i might turn the tables on them and ask for samples before i give a p.o.number. had one telemarketer on the reverse fishing line for over 2 months till i told her that i had her number... dang how rude she never called back and she promised my lunch...

 

[Nyboy]

I love when telemarketers call say there not selling anything, right nice try. Once I had a dog that was barking non stop. I got a call wanting to talk to person in charge of credit cards, I told them hold on and put the phone in barking dogs cage and walked away.