Fake IRS Phishing Scam

FAKE IRS PHISHING SCAM!!!

Any unexpected, non-written communication from someone claiming to be from the IRS and/or saying that the IRS has “filed a lawsuit against you” is an ILLEGAL SCAM!

DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION!

  • The IRS NEVER makes non-written contact regarding any collection action.
    • By law they must write to you by certified mail concerning any action(s) on your tax account.
    • This link is to the IRS’s webpage on information they collect, how they can use it, and your privacy rights.

https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/irs-privacy-policy

  • The IRS has all the personal information on you they require including:
    • Your Name and Address
    • Your social security number and date of birth
    • Your employment, bank account, and investment information

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

You CAN really have some fun with this process…

  • Make a Record of the Call
    • Write down their phone number (The IRS will NEVER call from a “Private” or “Blocked” number and no one from DC or Virginia will EVER call unless they are returning a call FROM you) and the date & time they called
  • Get the Agent/Officer’s Identification Information
    • Ask for their full name and identification number
    • All IRS Agents and Officers are issued a 7-digit identification number beginning with ‘1000’ they are required By Law to provide when asked.
  • Demand details of the Debt
    • Ask for the tax form, year & breakdown of tax, penalties & interest to the next due date. By Law, REAL IRS employees MUST provide this data when asked.

Collection actions are based on tax forms, periods and years – all of which are numbers.

For example: Form 941 12/02 would be the 2nd quarter 2012 Form 941 payroll tax

Form 1040 14/12 would be the 2014 Form 1040 personal tax return

  • Ask What Service Center is involved

The IRS has only select service centers where such actions are initiated and they are:

  • Kansas City, MO  64999-0002 & Louisville, KY  40293-1000
    Servicing:  AL, GA, KY, NJ, NC, SC, TN, VA
  • Austin, TX  73301-0002 & Charlotte, NC 28201-1214
    Servicing:  FL, LA, MS, TX, non-resident taxpayers or those living
    In a foreign country, US possession or territory, APOs or FPOs
  • Fresno, CA  93888-0002 & San Francisco, CA  94120-7704
    Servicing:  AL, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
  • Fresno, CA  93888-0002 & Cincinnati, OH  45280-2501
    Servicing:  AR, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MT, NE, ND, OH, OK, SD, WI
  • Kansas City, MO  64999-0002   &   Hartford, CT  06176-7008
    Servicing:  CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, MO, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV
  • Ogden, UT  84201 & Holtsville, NY  11742
    Servicing: Certain Business and returns older than 3 years

By now the fake caller has hung up on you and the number has been disconnected.

YOU just saved the next 10 people on their list from receiving such a call.

WAY TO BE A HERO!

NOW – go to the following web address and report the fraud. https://www.irs.gov/uac/report-phishing

If you are digitally challenged and/or don’t have internet access please call:

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)

1-800-366-4484

OR Write to them at: Attention Fraud Reports; PO Box 589; Ben Franklin Station, Washington DC 20044-0589