This seems to be IRS week.
Con artists and scammers continue to steal money from the unsuspecting with telephone scams. The elderly are often targets.
The scam starts with a stern phone call from Special Revenue Agent Jones of the IRS. A computer program has discovered you owe money to the IRS and it must be paid IMMEDIATELY or there will be severe consequences. You can pay the money with a Western Union transfer or a Green Dot money card.
If the real IRS wanted money from you the first contact would usually be through the mail, there would be a letter and explanatory information about your rights. On a first contact the response time is usually 30 days.
Same for state tax agencies.
So, what do you do?
Hang up, or
Ask the caller for a call back number, tell him your lawyer or CPA will be in touch.
These guys are pros, they will turn up the heat and pressure you to respond. Do not.
NEVER give your credit card, debit card or bank account numbers over the phone to a "government agent."
NEVER send money to the government via wire or money card, the government does not accept money that way.
NEVER give or confirm your Social Security number on the phone (unless you initiated the call to a known phone number).
Always watch your mail for anything hinky alleged to be from the government or a creditor.
Con artists and scammers continue to steal money from the unsuspecting with telephone scams. The elderly are often targets.
The scam starts with a stern phone call from Special Revenue Agent Jones of the IRS. A computer program has discovered you owe money to the IRS and it must be paid IMMEDIATELY or there will be severe consequences. You can pay the money with a Western Union transfer or a Green Dot money card.
If the real IRS wanted money from you the first contact would usually be through the mail, there would be a letter and explanatory information about your rights. On a first contact the response time is usually 30 days.
Same for state tax agencies.
So, what do you do?
Hang up, or
Ask the caller for a call back number, tell him your lawyer or CPA will be in touch.
These guys are pros, they will turn up the heat and pressure you to respond. Do not.
NEVER give your credit card, debit card or bank account numbers over the phone to a "government agent."
NEVER send money to the government via wire or money card, the government does not accept money that way.
NEVER give or confirm your Social Security number on the phone (unless you initiated the call to a known phone number).
Always watch your mail for anything hinky alleged to be from the government or a creditor.
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