The government agency has “identified a troubling trend” where scammers are impersonating IRS agents to target “unsuspecting individuals, particularly the elderly.”
Older Americans are being duped into making “immediate payments through unorthodox methods like gift cards or wire transfers under the pretext of resolving fake tax debts or securing false refunds,” the IRS warned in a statement issued on June 12.
Some known scam tactics warned by the IRS
“Scammers often target the elderly, attempting to steal personal information through phone calls, emails, or text messages by pretending to be the IRS or other agencies or businesses,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Preventing these types of scams requires help from many different places. By partnering with other federal agencies and others in the tax community, we can reach more seniors and other taxpayers to help protect them against these terrible scams.”
Impersonating Known Entities: Scammers pose as representatives of government agencies like the IRS or the Social Security Administration. By spoofing caller IDs, they can trick victims into believing they are truly being contacted by a government agency.
Claims of Problems or Prizes: Scammers often fabricate false scenarios to lure their victims, including unpaid debts or promises of significant prize winnings. Victims might be falsely informed that they owe money to a government agency, are entitled to a tax refund, need to verify accounts, or must pay fees to claim non-existent prizes.
Pressure to Act Immediately: Scammers frequently stress the urgency of the payment matter, demanding immediate action without giving the victim time to consider what is happening. Common tactics include threats of arrest, deportation, license suspension, or computer viruses.
Specified Payment Methods: Scammers often use unconventional payment methods in an effort to make the transaction untraceable, including requesting payments using cryptocurrencies, wire transfers, payment apps, or gift cards.
What should I do if I think I’m being scammed?
While scammers use a variety of methods to target their victims, the IRS has stated that all taxpayers should remember the following:
- The IRS will never demand immediate payment using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. If taxes are owed, the IRS will usually send a bill through the mail first.
- The IRS will never threaten individuals or businesses with law enforcement involvement.
- The IRS will never demand payment without providing opportunities to question or appeal the amount owed.
- The IRS will never ask for credit card, debit card, or gift card numbers over the phone.
If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and you have not been formally notified by mail about discrepancies with your IRS account, you should hang up immediately as it is likely a scam.