Where are the fake IRS calls coming from?

Criminals are making phone calls look like they’re coming from the TAS office in Houston or Brooklyn, according to the IRS, and when taxpayers return the calls — which often tell victims they’re entitled to a large tax refund — the criminals ask for personal information such as a Social Security number.

How do I know if the IRS call is real?

How can I tell if an IRS call is a scam? If you have not received communication from the IRS in the mail prior to receiving a phone call, it is probably fake. Also, the IRS will not ask you to pay over the phone. They will direct you to an online payment portal on their official website.

What do I do if I get an IRS scam call?

Please report IRS or Treasury-related fraudulent calls to [email protected] (Subject: IRS Phone Scam)….When you report the fraudulent call, please include:

1. The telephone number of the caller (e.g., Caller ID)
2. The telephone number you were instructed to call back.
3. A brief description of the communication.

How to report an IRS impersonation phone call?

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.

How can I find out if the IRS is calling?

And if you would like to verify information on the representative’s HSPD-12 card, the representative will provide you with a dedicated IRS telephone number for verifying the information and confirming their identity. IRS collection employees may call or come to a home or business unannounced to collect a tax debt.

Are there any fraudulent emails from the IRS?

The IRS and Security Summit partners today warned the public of a surge of fraudulent emails impersonating the IRS and using tax transcripts as bait to entice users to open documents containing malware. See IR-2018-226.

How does the IRS call to demand payment?

Note that the IRS does not: Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. Demand that you pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.