Hopefully, most of you are aware that I write a blog, and that one of my favorite topics is how scams operate.
Recently, I have written about scams that involve the Internal Revenue Service.
Well, recently they tried it on my office. When I got back after a breakfast meeting, there was a message that a Mr. DM had called from the IRS and left his phone number. He was a “Case Consulting Officer” and needed to discuss discrepancies in my own tax return. The individual who called demanded that I return the call immediately.
PAY ATTENTION – The IRS does not call you to initiate any inquires. They will write to you about a discrepancy and ask you to resolve it. If you fail to answer, they will resolve it based upon the information they have.
I was sure this was what they call an “IRS Impersonation Scam.” So I called the IRS and asked them to see if the phone number I had been given was a valid IRS phone number. As I suspected, it was not.
This has become so prevalent that the IRS has assigned the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to handle the complaints. I sent them a fax this morning with all the details, including the alleged agent’s name and phone number.
NEVER give your personal information, especially social security numbers and dates of birth, to anyone calling on the phone – no matter how much they try to intimidate you. Get their information and get in touch with me.
Fight back.
Howard Lipset, CPA
Progressive Management, Inc.
(516) 883-2962
lipset@progressivemanage.com
