IRS Scam & Phone Registry

Unfortunately, the amount of scams out there just seem to be increasing as well.  So, we need to learn some self-defense tools in regards to protecting our money and our identity.

First, let me tell you about the recent scam that I have received.  Actually, I have received it twice now via phone messages.  (866) area code that leaves a message telling me that I am hiding a scam on the federal government and that I need to call them back immediately to rectify.  Yeah, I'll get right on that - NOT!  IRS does not call as they send out letters which is the first clue.  They also do not threaten with imprisonment, etc.  

Below is a link to some great tips from the IRS on what they will and will not do to help you determine if it is part of a scam or not.  

https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

The link below is for the current / recent tax scams.  
Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

Know Who to Contact

• Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484.
  
  
• Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
  
  
• Report an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, or an IRS-related component like the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

Also at https://www.ftc.gov​ you can register your phone # on the Federal do not call registry.  Then, if you get solicitations you can report them.  Also, while there you can sign up to receive alerts about the latest scams so you can stay abreast of them and hopefully not fall pray to one of them.