PROVIDENCE – The IRS is warning of a new twist to an old scam, as criminals are tricking taxpayers into paying nonexistent tax bills.
The federal agency last week said criminals are using telephone numbers to mimic the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers to fool taxpayers.
“In the latest version of the phone scam, criminals claim to be calling from a local IRS TAC office,” according to the agency. “Scam artists have programmed their computers to display the TAC telephone number, which appears on the taxpayer’s caller ID when the call is made.”
If the taxpayer inquires about the caller’s validity, the scammer will direct the taxpayer to look up their local TAC office telephone number to verify.
“The crooks hang up, wait a short time and then call back a second time, and they are able to fake or spoof the Caller ID to appear to be the IRS office calling,” according to the agency. “After the taxpayer has verified the call number, the fraudsters resume their demands for money, generally demanding payment on a debit card.”
The agency and its security partners are urging taxpayers to remain alert to tax scams year-round, but especially immediately after the tax-filing season ends.
Eli Sherman is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Sherman@PBN.com, or follow him on Twitter @Eli_Sherman.
