I'm trying to figure out if this a scam

[housemouse]

i received a letter from the IRS(maybe) addressed to my adult daughter who lives in another state. I have permission from her to open any mail addressed to her that shows up at my house if it looks important. They want her to check yes or no if this address is correct for her and if not to provide them with her current address. Also want home and cell numbers. They also want a signature which is "required to update our records."

I'm concerned this could be a scam for several reasons.
1. We live on the eastern side of the country and this letter came from an office in Fresno, Ca. It seems like it would have come from an office somewhat closer. Although she did live in Washington State for about a year a couple of years ago.

2. She has had her purse stolen and her house has been broken into. Her drivers license, social security card and birth certificate were all taken. So even though this form has her SSN # on it, that still doesn't make it legitimate in my eyes because her number is out there.

3. A couple of weeks ago I got an email wanting me to contact the IRS because they couldn't process my tax returns until I did. My tax returns were processed and the hefty check I sent them cashed in March. So that was obviously a scam, and another attempt by the "IRS" so soon to the same household is making me leery.

4. Although there is a phone # to contact, under person to contact it says "customer service rep" no actual name. And it is signed : Sincerely Yours, Compliance Services Field Director, but again no name.

I'm stumped. Is this legitimate?

 

[disprincessatheart]

I would look up the IRS online and find a number to call and ask.

 

[Metsfan520]

I would look up the IRS online and find a number to call and ask.

I second this. I have a feeling it's a scam, so I wouldn't call any number listed in the letter. But I wouldn't just throw it out, so I'd find a number and call.

 

[Janepod]

I would throw it out. The IRS needs a signature for their records? I don't think so.

If the IRS really needs her, trust me, they'll find her!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would not chance it so have her call the IRS and ask them?

 

[barbeml]

Here is their phishing info:

http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html

 

[housemouse]

Here is their phishing info:

http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html

Yeah, I know. They attempted that on me a couple of weeks ago. But it's making me hinkey that now here's one by mail for my daughter to the same household. Almost a little too coincidental for me. Thanks for the link. I'll read through that.

 

[Judique]

I would not chance it so have her call the IRS and ask them?

Fresno is where they do some audit work.

The questions asked for address, home and cell numbers seem like a 'collection' type request (from the irs).

The request for signature sounds strange to me.

I am almost through an audit of seven years of tax returns - I have no problems to worry about but something sparked an audit. I'm actually going to get a small refund - yay - Disney snack money - I mean small, lol.

I would contact the IRS if I were her.

 

[housemouse]

Oh, one other oddity I forgot to mention. The letter was dated 08/22 and I got it yesterday? On the 23rd? How's that even possible from the other side of the country?

 

[ktlm]

Google the phone number on the letter and see what comes up. That has worked for me before when I have gotten odd letters or E-mails that I was not sure were a scam or legitimate. One time, the number I plugged in turned out to be legitimate. Other times, when I checked numbers a website popped up on the google search list which was reporting that calls from the numbers were a scam.

 

[Bungle]

Call and check. Someone else may be using her social security number. If so it needs to be handled asap. Actually she needs to call. One question is the signature line above or below line where you fill in the address?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1-800-TAX-1040 is the basic number to call.

And notices can come from any of the service centers.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Agree with others...call the IRS to check if this is legit.

But, since the letter was addressed to your daughter, she will be the one who has to call, most likely.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

The Fresno, California thing doesn't bother me since all of my mail from the IRS has come from there.

However all the mail I have recieved has come with a reference#, name of a specific person and the phone number to call them at. The fact that your daughter's letter does not have a name makes me think it is a scam.

If I were you I would have your daughter call the IRS's main number and check to see if this is legit.

 

[dfchelbay]

i received a letter from the IRS(maybe) addressed to my adult daughter who lives in another state. I have permission from her to open any mail addressed to her that shows up at my house if it looks important. They want her to check yes or no if this address is correct for her and if not to provide them with her current address. Also want home and cell numbers. They also want a signature which is "required to update our records."

I'm concerned this could be a scam for several reasons.
1. We live on the eastern side of the country and this letter came from an office in Fresno, Ca. It seems like it would have come from an office somewhat closer. Although she did live in Washington State for about a year a couple of years ago.

2. She has had her purse stolen and her house has been broken into. Her drivers license, social security card and birth certificate were all taken. So even though this form has her SSN # on it, that still doesn't make it legitimate in my eyes because her number is out there.

3. A couple of weeks ago I got an email wanting me to contact the IRS because they couldn't process my tax returns until I did. My tax returns were processed and the hefty check I sent them cashed in March. So that was obviously a scam, and another attempt by the "IRS" so soon to the same household is making me leery.

4. Although there is a phone # to contact, under person to contact it says "customer service rep" no actual name. And it is signed : Sincerely Yours, Compliance Services Field Director, but again no name.

I'm stumped. Is this legitimate?

I'm looking at my IRS 1040 Instruction Book. The back cover has the address to mail returns. For Fresno, the states that mail to them are:

Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming...if you are not enclosing a check to the IRS.


The address is: Fresno, CA 93888-0002

If I had a guess, the IRS may have 2 tax returns with your daughter's SSN on them. They probably want to clarify who is the proper person that the SSN belongs to. Your daughter's SSN is probably being used by an illegal alien. I would further guess that a company submitted its tax records to the IRS, listing all its employees and their SSNs. When the name on all their IRS tax documents does not cross check out, then they will look further into the matter. I'll bet its has more to do with another person who listed your daughter's SSN, and nothing to do with your daughter doing anything improper.

Go to www.IRS.gov and look for a department/phone number and call it directly.

 

[beansmom]

I would throw it out. The IRS needs a signature for their records? I don't think so.

If the IRS really needs her, trust me, they'll find her!

the IRS doesn't even need YOU...they already have all your info provided by your employer. I think it's fishy, too.

 

[seashoreCM]

Do not send the letter writer any new information.

Do not sign letters sent in reply because that gives away your signature.

One way to make letters that don't look incomplete for lack of a signature is to begin it with:

To: Mr. John Doe
From: Ms. Jane Roe
1234 Main St.
Anytown, MA
Date: August 25, 2011
RE: Tax return information

I received in the mail this dada dada dada

Dada dada dada

Thank you.

When you call the IRS directly (not using the number in the letter) then get from them any questions they mayhave and it is safe to send information and signed letters to the address shown in a tax return instruction book or what the person on the phone gives you when you made the call.

 

[Bungle]

the IRS doesn't even need YOU...they already have all your info provided by your employer. I think it's fishy, too.

There ARE forms that require signatures.

Any update OP?

 

[housemouse]

There ARE forms that require signatures.

Any update OP?

I told her about it and she called the real IRS #. She told me that she took care of it. I didn't ask her if it was legit or not because I didn't want to pry. I just didn't want her to be taken advantage of if it wasn't for real.

 

[njmom47]

Google the phone number on the letter and see what comes up. That has worked for me before when I have gotten odd letters or E-mails that I was not sure were a scam or legitimate. One time, the number I plugged in turned out to be legitimate. Other times, when I checked numbers a website popped up on the google search list which was reporting that calls from the numbers were a scam.

I've done this for #s that show up on my cellphone. We also did it at work when a (very naive) co-worker was going to fall for the "I need to rent my condo out while I'm doing missionary work in Africa" scam.