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Spotting IRS Scams

by Pennsylvania Crime Prevention Officers’ Association

Mar 18, 2019

We all know it’s that dreaded time of the year when “The Taxman Commeth” no one wants to get a call from the Internal Revenue Service advising that you owe back taxes or have some other issue. The common threats include: you are directed to immediately pay back taxes, they threaten you with arrest or court action, and in some cases, the caller claims to represent law enforcement (FBI, State Police or even the Secret Service) to tell you they are on a case with the scammers and your name came up so they need you to act as if you will comply and send one last payment to help with closing the case and arresting them.

Here are a few tips to consider:

  • Don’t panic, stay calm and look up the true number for IRS and call to check your status.
  • Government agencies and financial institutions will not makes threats of arrest.
  • By federal regulations the IRS must mail you three written notifications prior to collection calls.
  • IRS employees will mail you documentation of your obligations.
  • Report IRS fraud to: email to [email protected], call to 1-800-366-4484

Please think before you react to any IRS Scam, the government will not request iTunes, Greendot or other prepaid gift cards for payment.

This article has been written to provide basic information to warn the public about common fraud and scams by the Pennsylvania Crime Prevention Officers’ Association (PCPOA) a non-profit 501c(3) In cooperation with Crime Alert Berks County. For more information please visit our website at www.PaCrimePrevention.org

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