How To Avoid Common Tax Scams

Unfortunately, the world is full of people who would rather scam money out of hardworking Americans than do a hard day's work themselves. IRS scam calls have become an increasingly significant problem, and two factors play into that. First, most people have an uneasy relationship with the IRS. It's not a part of the government we interact with often, and when we do, we know that the penalties for doing it improperly can be serious. Second, we don't understand the organization enough to understand standard operating procedures. Today, we'll address these issues and hopefully help keep you safe against potential scammers.

The IRS Rarely Emails

The first contact you have with an IRS agent will never be over email. If you're receiving emails that appear to be from the IRS requesting payment or personal information, you're being scammed. Do not open any attachments or click on any links and then report a potential scam to the IRS as soon as possible. 

The IRS Doesn't Take Gift Cards

Many unsettling trends in IRS scams target older adults. These days, one common scam is for a person pretending to be an IRS agent to request payment via prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. The IRS does not take payment via any of these methods. Often requests like these are made in an intimidating manner leaving people with little time to think logically about the request. Remember that the IRS is not in the business of fearmongering. If you have concerns about a request being made of you by someone claiming to be the IRS, hang up and contact your accountant.

The IRS Won't Leave Threatening Messages 

Finally, if you are receiving threatening messages on your voicemail from someone claiming to represent the IRS, you are the target of a scam. If we train ourselves to look for dangerous signs and signals like these, we're less likely to fall prey to IRS scams.

It's always helpful to remember that the IRS is a professional government agency, not a branch of the mafia. If you feel threatened or are concerned about questionable tactics, you're probably not speaking to someone with the IRS. Before you pay a dime, call your accountant. If you need an accountant, we'd love to help you. Contact our office today.