Hello? Is This Really the IRS, or Just a Scam?
No one enjoys getting a call from the IRS, but getting a call from someone who claims to be from the IRS, but who is really just a scammer, is even worse. However, according to the country’s top tax agency, that is exactly the kind of sophisticated and elaborate scam that has been going on lately.
The IRS says that the scam has occurred all over the country and has even taken aim at recent immigrants. According to the IRS, the scammers use fake names and IRS ID numbers. The scammers also apparently already have detailed information about the people they call and they are also able to alter their caller ID number so it appears to be coming from the tax agency.
The con artists then claim that the taxpayer owes money to the IRS and demand prompt payment for the debt. They also threaten jail time, license suspension or even deportation in some cases. The IRS absolutely does not use these kinds of tactics.
According to the IRS website it will never do the following things when it calls:
- Demand immediate payment. In fact, the IRS won’t even call you about taxes owed until mailing you first.
- Demand that you pay taxes without letting you question or appeal the amount you reportedly owe.
- Require you to use a specific payment method, like a prepaid debit card, for your taxes.
- Ask for debit or credit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to have you arrested by any law-enforcement groups for not paying your debt.
You can learn more about this and other tax-related scams by visiting the IRS consumer alerts page. You can also contact us at GROCO by clicking here.
Is the Deal Between Burger King and Tim Horton’s Really an Inversion?
Is the Deal Between Burger King and Tim Horton’s Really an Inversion? If you haven’t heard already, Burger King recently announced its plans to acquire Tim Hortons Inc. a Canadian coffee and doughnut chain. There is nothing wrong with that news in of itself, and depending on whom you ask there is nothing wrong with…
Who is to Blame for USA Companies Leaving the Country for Lower Taxes?
Who is to Blame for USA Companies Leaving the Country for Lower Taxes? Imagine you owned or ran a large company that was making a lot of money. However, instead of seeing all of that money count as profit, you were watching a large portion of it being taken due to the United States bloated…
Qualified Small Business Stock: An Opportunity for Investors
Qualified Small Business Stock: An Opportunity for Investors Updated: 11/16/10 Aiming to give a boost to developing small businesses, Congress granted an unusual tax break, allowing taxpayers who buy newly issued shares of qualified small business stock (QSBS) and hold it for five years to exclude from taxation half of their capital gain realized on…
Are You Still Waiting For Your Tax Refund?
Does it feel like this year is just flying by? The Calendar on your wall is right. The year is almost half over already. Where did all that time go? More importantly, where the heck is your tax return? It’s one thing to still be waiting for your return if you waited to file it…