With so much focus being on internet scammers and identity thieves over the past couple decades, we’ve nearly forgotten about the old-fashioned phone scams. With the popularity of the internet, private cell phone numbers, and Do Not Call registrations for listed phone numbers, don’t get caught off guard by assuming that phone scams are a thing of the past.
Scamming Really Is An Art!
Phone scams are perpetrated by scam artists, and as their title depicts, the scam artists can truly be actual artists when it comes to creating unique ways to contact and manipulate innocent people. With so many people having access to the internet and social media, warnings to the public about scams are now able to be spread far and frequently. To stay ahead of the game, scam artists today need to stay current. With their every-changing tactics, they seem to constantly discover creative ways to disguise their identity. Today’s scam artists are quite effective and even with widespread warnings, many innocent individuals are still genuinely led to believe they are actually receiving important calls from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
How Do Scammers Convince Us They Are Legit?
There are several ways phone scammers are able to convince us that they are actual IRS representatives. First, they may call you right around the time that filing tax returns and tax return extensions are due. Next, they will devise a way to manipulate your caller ID so that your display indicates you are receiving a phone call from the “IRS” or “Internal Revenue Service”. Once you answer their phone call, they’ve got their foot in the door! Finally, the phone scammer may pose as an IRS rep by providing you with a badge number and a fake unique case number assigned to your tax issue. Sounds official, and almost even intimidating, right?
What Do The IRS Phone Scammers Want?
First, the phone scammers want to speak with you. They will most likely leave an official sounding message for you to return their call immediately about an important tax matter. Once you speak with the phone scammer, they may claim that you owe the IRS money and they’ll demand that you make an immediate payment to them with the threat of arrest or imprisonment. They might also try to obtain your banking information and social security number by convincing you that you are due a refund that they will wire into your account.
How To Outsmart The IRS Phone Scammers
No matter how serious and official the caller may seem, don’t call them back. Write down all the identifying information they provide and call the IRS hotline at 1-800-829-1040 to verify if their information is legitimate. Understand that the IRS states that they typically do not contact taxpayers via phone, but by mail, so there’s a very good chance that any call you receive from the IRS is a scam.
The Best Way To Avoid IRS Phone Scams
The best way for you to avoid becoming a victim of IRS phone scams is to rely on your E&Y Agency Tax Preparation specialist to handle all your tax matters. When you use our tax return service in Troy, Michigan, you will have peace of mind knowing that we will handle any issues relating to the IRS, so that you don’t have to. Don’t get bogged down with tax issues, call our office today at (248) 362-1313 to schedule a consultation with one of our professional Troy Michigan tax preparers.
