IRS Reveals 5 Simple Ways Norwich Residents Can Identify Tax Season Scams

With tax season upon us, this is when residents are asked to be wary of a classic IRS scam that is typically set into play this time of year.

The IRS telephone scam involves scam artists calling and pretending to be an officer with the agency. These callers may demand money or say you have a refund due in order to trick an unsuspecting victim into sharing private information.

These con artists typically try to sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about the person they are contacting, and will often alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS really is calling.

Scammers will also use fake names and badge identification numbers, and often leave an “urgent callback request" voicemail if the victim doesn't answer the phone.

In light of this prominent scam, police departments from all over the state are reminding residents the IRS will not ask or demand money over the phone. The agency will also not threaten to arrest someone if payment is not immediately made.

"All legitimate correspondence with the IRS is conducted through the mail," the Town of Groton Police Department recently wrote on their Facebook page.

Since many residents typically fall victim to these types of scams, the IRS has compiled a list of five easy ways to identify suspicious phone calls.

According to a release from the agency, the IRS will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment, nor will we call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone
• Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying
• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:

• If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS (1-800-829-1040); the IRS workers can help you with a payment issue
• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) by phone (1-800-366-4484) or online (www.tigta.gov)
• You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Scams and Rip-Offs” and then “Impostor Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

Additional information about tax scams are available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube and Tumblr where people can search “scam” to find all the scam-related posts.

Image via Shutterstock