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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThere's a new phone scam out
I got a call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent saying that I was being sued for taxes not paid for the years 2001-2005.
I was suspicious right off as I've been audited by the IRS before, not "sued", and they don't call you they send that dreaded letter outlining what's owed and the penalty and how much time you have to pay it.
I played along with the guy and asked if it was for my indilvidual single filing.
He fell for it and said "yes, your individual filing and you owe $4059".
It was then that I told him it was a scam as I filed a joint return with my wife during those years.
Then I hung up and haven't heard from them since.
So watch out for this latest trick.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)brush
(53,978 posts)I had the old FBI scam and the Drug Enforcement scam tried and also the constant stream of emails from Nigeria.
Response to brush (Reply #8)
freshwest This message was self-deleted by its author.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(116,032 posts)In one of them, they leave a message telling you that you are being prosecuted for tax fraud; they leave a number for you to call along with the threat that if you don't call back within 48 hours the police will come and arrest you. More about these scams, along with a way to report them, here: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Scam-Phone-Calls-Continue;-IRS-Identifies-Five-Easy-Ways-to-Spot-Suspicious-Calls
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)These scammers never do.
But seriously who still answers the phone when an unknown number calls?
Response to NightWatcher (Reply #3)
guyton This message was self-deleted by its author.
brush
(53,978 posts)Chill out, people, just trying to alert people. I've had other scammers try their tricks but this is the first for me from the "IRS".
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Never answer a number you don't recognize.
This scam has left a message on my machine though. My response:
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)That's a red flag.
Response to Warren DeMontague (Reply #4)
freshwest This message was self-deleted by its author.
MADem
(135,425 posts)She had her aide call her phone with a spoofed IRS address as a demonstration.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)they called me twice today and left a message. Someone must have gotten a new list of phone numbers to try.
lpbk2713
(42,777 posts)But a couple of times a month someone will call to tell me I have a virus on
my computer. I usually have fun with them until they hang up in disgust.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I have had some fun with the callers. I haven't gotten the IRS call yet, but I'm inclined to play along, and finally blurt out, "This is really weird; I work for the IRS and this must be some new program I haven't heard about yet. Can I get your full name and agency ID number? Who's your supervisor?"
alboe
(192 posts)Unfortunately, so many people fall for these scams and lose real money.
Response to brush (Original post)
freshwest This message was self-deleted by its author.
just us
(105 posts)I recently was called by an individual who said I had over paid my taxes and was due a refund for 2001 to 2005. All I need do is purchase a prepaid card and in exchange their agent would bring the check to my home in exchange for the card. I questioned them extensively and agreed to have the card. I set up a camera and mic, they must have smelled something cause they never showed up.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)brush
(53,978 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 12, 2015, 10:30 PM - Edit history (1)
Can't understand your post. You might have run into this particular scam but others haven't.
Why the snark?
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,387 posts)I perceived "empathy".
I've gotten similar calls, threatening to be ordered to a magistrate court by the IRS. This and other variations have been exposed in various media, with the advice that the IRS will ONLY use snail-mail, never a phone call, text, tweet, email, etc.
Good that you knew not to take the caller seriously.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)I know someone who fell for this.
I meant no disrespect at all.
City Lights
(25,171 posts)Grammy23
(5,815 posts)The point is that you need to pay attention to things that are Red Flags for scammers. Knowing that the IRS doesn't call you with threats of arrest or to tell you to buy a money card and then call someone (usually in a foreign location) for further instructions are big red flags. We have made it a policy in our house not to ever answer calls from numbers we don't recognize. I read a comment about scam calls that said they had received a call with their own phone number on the Caller ID, so just know that these scammers know all kinds of ways to lure you into answering the phone.
And remember this: Part of their strategy is to call numbers hoping someone will answer because that confirms for them that the number is a working number and will link them to a potential live human being....AKA: VICTIM. MARK. GULLIBLE TARGET.
Easiest strategy is to let it ring. Never answer....even to just screw with them. We let the answering machine pick up and most of the time they just hang up. This includes telemarketers, too, not just scammers. When we do get the occasional scam calls from the "IRS" who bother to leave a message, we just get a good laugh and sometimes make a comment here or on Facebook just to remind people that they are still out there looking for easy money.
ladyVet
(1,587 posts)Something about owing money to some place, and that the police would be called unless the money was paid immediately with a credit card. After several of these (after the first one, she wouldn't answer the phone unless she knew the number), finally Mama said, go ahead and hung up. Never called again.
But yeah, you have to watch out for this shit. Some people are so honest (or naive, or ignorant, or whatever) that they don't see how it's a scam. It's the government, right?
IBEWVET
(217 posts)I said I had two, a Mac Book which I told him was not subject to a virus, Or my HAL9000 which one was infected? He said your HAL9000 sir. I told him I would open the air lock and that would take care of it.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)suryokecu
(1 post)I think it's not a new scam scheme. I found so many complaints about this IRS scam since several months ago. The latest complaints filed that I can found is at http://www.whycall.me/509-588-7318.html. They also complaining about the fake IRS calling and asking for immediate payment. Have you report it to FTC or police department, dude?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,346 posts)But it leads to a site that want's to sell you a mobile app for call blocking.
uppityperson
(115,681 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)John1956PA
(2,681 posts)On my business line. I was receiving a ridiculous number of calls from a "Google maps service provider" which, despite the implication, has nothing to do with Google. If that entity is still calling, it is hanging up during my answering machine's announcement. I get about five such hang-ups each business day.
doc03
(35,459 posts)several others who got it also.
Grammy23
(5,815 posts)Reported on local news that people are receiving calls claiming to be from Gulf Power and that they are behind in paying their power bill. If they do not pay immediately (by credit card or other means) their power will be cut off. They are targeting the elderly but no one is exempt from this type of scam.
Utilities typically don't work this way. A written warning or cut off notice is mailed to inform you of the cut off date. One reason for targeting the elderly is that often they have medical equipment in the home that is run by electricity so threats to cut off the power are taken very seriously.
The moral of all of the stories about scams, particularly those conducted by phone, is to not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize. Be skeptical about anyone who calls out of the blue with claims that you owe money and/or must pay immediately with no proof that you actually do owe the money. Scammers are constantly looking at ways of separating you from your money. It is how they make a living, so don't be a victim of their deceptions.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)I was amazed that people fell for it, but apparently they do.