IRS Phone Scam

[Chaoster]

I just got a message on my machine saying to call back or there will be severe consequences. There was also a bunch of other stuff but I had a hard time understanding him. He said he was an agent and I or my attorney needs to call back immediately. There were some major problems with this call:

1) he had much to heavy an accent to be a US federal Agent.
2) IRS would not have sent my refund if I owed money.
3) I know for a fact IRS send certified letter and not a phone call for issues.
4) I googled the number 202-506-9213. (bogus)

So anyone else who gets this call don't panic and just ignore it.

 

[SWofDisorder]

Thanks for the heads up on scam. I hope other read this and are aware. I feel sorry for people like the elderly or handicap who would not realize it is a scam.

 

[vikster1]

I just a read a post on facebook from a friend in Virginia who received the same call. That is also the same number.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would just like to add that having a "heavy accent" does not disqualify people from working for the government.

 

[3boymthr]

I work for a Tax Accountant. They are also pretending to be your state tax agency and sending e-mails.

The IRS NEVER calls and never e-mails. Every notice that you owe them money will always be by regular mail and you will have x number of days to respond.

 

[shanejoseph]

I got the same call Saturday! He gave his first name, said he was from the IRS, and me and my attorney should return his call, or else! I've gotten phishing scam calls before, but none so bold. Once, through a federal law enforcement connection, I got a low level scam arrested in Jamaica, New York. I passed this recent one on, but ties were already severed. In future, pass any info. dealing with IRS scams onto the actual IRS. Believe me they are very interested! Also, talk about these things with every elderly person you know, as well as any kindhearted, gullible person also. They are the targets!

 

[Chaoster]

Received a second call. Picked up the phone this time and it was a recording. I kept saying hello and he kept continuing with his message same as before.

 

[yulie]

Glad you brought this up. I've been meaning to share a warning against this scam, too, Got a call from a *415-*484-*8569 phone number and the caller claimed I owed IRS money. He demanded that I pay immediately or face jail time. although I was suspicious of the call, I couldn't help but worry.

 

[daughtersrus]

I just got a message on my machine saying to call back or there will be severe consequences. There was also a bunch of other stuff but I had a hard time understanding him. He said he was an agent and I or my attorney needs to call back immediately. There were some major problems with this call:

1) he had much to heavy an accent to be a US federal Agent.
2) IRS would not have sent my refund if I owed money.
3) I know for a fact IRS send certified letter and not a phone call for issues.
4) I googled the number 202-506-9213. (bogus)

So anyone else who gets this call don't panic and just ignore it.

This has been going on for several months. We got a recorded message for my DD that doesn't live here.

The IRS issued a warning last Nov.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam

Forbes ran an article about it recently as have several news organizations. Hopefully, most people will realize it's a scam but sadly, some get duped.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/halahto...s-telephone-scam-nearly-duped-me-out-of-5000/

 

[seashoreCM]

The IRS does not telephone people telling them to pay up or go to jail. (That is done in writing mentioning dollar amounts and giving some appeal instructions.) So this call was definitely a scam.

One thing I might fiendishly do to business reps who call me and who don't seem to understand me is to repeat exactly what I said before. Then I let the caller seek out a supervisor to interpret what I said if needed.

Usually I do not return non-800 calls to persons or agencies I do not recognize. No point running up long distance charges or using up my anytime minutes.

 

[yulie]

I Googled the phone number that showed on my caller ID and several websites came up along with complaints came up. I found this thread at Callercenter where one post clearly explained how the scam works.

Thanks for giving me the idea to look up the scam and the phone number. At least now I'm convinced it was indeed a scam call.

 

[mollybug2]

I've had several of these calls, too. The best was the recording that threatened to return me "to my country of origin" if I didn't pay within 24 hours. You'd think the real IRS would realize I am in my country of origin already... My first call was a live person. The subsequent 5 were recordings. I wish a real person would call back, my tax attorney father in law has given me some fun comments to use if they ever do...

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[LadyBeBop]

IRS employee here; however, I'm speaking for myself only, and these views represent my own views, and not those of my employer.

Have to say that to cover my you-know what.

I got the same call Saturday! He gave his first name, said he was from the IRS...

IRS employees will never idenify themselves by first name only. By law, they have to give their last name. Most IRS employees will just idenify themselves by their last name (Mr. Smith, Ms. Jones). It's harder for an irate taxpayer to seek out an IRS employee if they just have a last name. Some IRS employees will use a fake name, but you need special permission to do so.

In future, pass any info. dealing with IRS scams onto the actual IRS. Believe me they are very interested!

Extremely interested. There are entire units that do nothing but look into idenity theft.

Also, talk about these things with every elderly person you know, as well as any kindhearted, gullible person also. They are the targets!

X2.