How to identify an IRS law tax scam in Marietta

Every year people in Marietta fall victim to IRS law tax scams. Scammers try to bully or take advantage of you and use scare tactics posing as the IRS. Some scammers are so slick they talk you into sending money before you even know what hit you. A little education can go along way to stop yourself from being a victim of an IRS law tax scam.

Understanding how the IRS functions

Knowledge is power. You can educate yourself about how the IRS functions, contacts people, and how they generally handle inquiries. Here are some things to note about the IRS and IRS law:

  • When the IRS wants to contact you (for example about unpaid taxes), they will contact you first by mail. The IRS does not initiate the first contact by phone or email.
  • Do not open any emails, attachments, or links that claim to be from the IRS. You can forward this correspondence to phishing@irs.gov.
  • The IRS does not take financial information over the phone-such as credit cards, bank accounts (including pins), or other similar account information.
  • The IRS does not send text messages or use Facebook or Twitter to contact you.
  • The IRS does not ask for payment via a wire transfer or pre-paid debit cards. This is a big red flag!

Types of IRS law Scams

There always seems to be some type of new IRS law scam that emerges, even in Marietta.  However, there are some patterns from prior scams that can alert you that something isn’t quite right. Pay attention to the voice in your gut. If a call seems odd, hang up the phone or close your door. Do not provide any personal information. Consider contacting the authorities and IRS. Here are some common type of scams:

  • Emails: A scammer sends a phishing email which is positioned to steal personal data such as PINs, credit information, or passwords.

 

  • Phone calls: This is a very common scam. You get a call claiming you owe back taxes. The caller threatens jail time if you do not make an immediate payment.
  • Letter demands: These are actual letters you receive in the old-fashioned mail demand some action to the IRS. Usually, they include specific information to where you should send a payment.

 

How to protect yourself from IRS law scams

Education is the first step. Be aware of what a scam looks like. Then, know how to react. Here are some things you should do:

  • If you receive a phone call regarding tax debt and don’t think you owe taxes hang up immediately. You can report this call to Treasury Department to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.tigta.gov or call 1-800-366-4484.
  • Do not return any telephone messages or emails to sources claiming to be the IRS. Contact your tax attorney or the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to verify the authenticity.  
  • If you know you owe taxes and haven’t yet set up a payment plan or determined a payment resolution, contact your IRS law attorney or considering meeting with an attorney to determine next steps.
  • Under any circumstances, no matter how credible the ask may seem, do not give any personal information over the phone.

Contact an Experienced Marietta IRS Law Attorney Today

If you owe on taxes or are faced with a tax audit you want to make sure you know your rights. Jeff Cohen, attorney at law knows IRS law and can assist in resolving tax problems. Contact him today at 404-814-0000 for a free phone consultation.

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