Learn more about the case Connelly v. United States. ...
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Although tax preparers usually have their busiest month in April, tax scammers and identity thieves are busy at work throughout the year. The IRS has advised taxpayers to be alert for these scam artists, as the IRS has noticed an alarming increase in these criminals who impersonate IRS employees, attempting to steal money or identities.
In May of 2016, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) agents arrested five suspects in Miami. The five were allegedly responsible for almost $2 million in wire frauds involving more than 1,500 victims. TIGTA has also recently made arrests in New York and California, where the suspects had ties to India. These arrests show that TIGTA is making progress in apprehending these criminals, who, so far, have defrauded taxpayer out of more than $36 million.
In the past, victims were often elderly Americans, immigrants who speak English as a second language and other vulnerable taxpayers. However, as their techniques have become increasingly sophisticated, everyone is a potential target.
These criminals know that many taxpayers fear the authority and reach of the IRS. So, the scammers will attempt to use scare tactics to trick people into giving them their personal information or paying bogus tax bills. The scammers, posing as IRS employees, will often threaten to arrest or deport individuals, garnish wages, revoke licenses, and confiscate bank accounts, unless the target pays a fictitious past-due amount immediately. Scammers use landline or cell phone calls, text messages, emails, and regular mail to reach their potential victims. Here are just a few of the techniques that the scammers have been known to use:
How does one avoid falling victim to one of these schemes? First, never provide personal information to suspicious strangers who make unsolicited calls or emails. If you suspect that a scammer has contacted you, hang up immediately. Second, know how the IRS operates. The IRS will not:
You do have an obligation to pay your correctly computed taxes, and any possible interest and penalties, but you do not have to pay what you do not owe. Actual IRS employees will work with you in making arrangements to pay any amounts that you legitimately owe. They will not threaten or harass you without due process. You do have rights when you are dealing with the real IRS. These rights are outlined in the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights," and you can find them on IRS.gov. However, when you are talking to the IRS, make sure that it is actually the IRS you are dealing with.
If you are unsure about whether a phone number, email address, or physical mailing address is legitimate, verify it at 800-829-1040, or through the IRS website at IRS.gov. If you have been targeted by a scam artist, immediately report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484. Also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission by using the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. If you are uncertain as to whether a tax scammer has accessed your personal information, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490.
Contact us if you have questions regarding tax scams and visit our Our Thoughts On blog for more articles pertaining to tax fraud techniques.
Learn more about the case Connelly v. United States. ...
Learn more about the case Connelly v. United States. ...
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