Scam Warning – Fraudulent IRS Notices

IRS ISSUES SCAM NOTICE REGARDING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Amid a recent rash of reported phone scams, the IRS has issued an official warning specifically calling out an illegitimate scare tactic. Many individuals have reported suspicious calls and voicemails claiming to be from the IRS and threatening to suspend or cancel their Social Security Number (SSN) over delinquent taxes. It should be noted that the only time an SSN is suspended or canceled is when it is stolen and a request for a replacement is made with the Social Security Administration. The threat is nonsense because canceling a citizen’s SSN would also greatly hinder the government which uses SSNs as an identifier for numerous government functions.

Everyone should be made aware that if any call or voicemail is received threatening to cancel an SSN that it is a scam. This new, false threat should be added to the list of common IRS scam red flags:

• Demands of immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer
• Demands of payment to any entity other than the U.S. Treasury
• Threats to immediately bring in law-enforcement unless a payment is made
• Refusal of the opportunity to answer questions or appeal their decision

The IRS typically contacts individuals through physical mail and will offer some form of review or appeal before attempting collection action. If you receive a call with any demand to pay delinquent taxes, it is best to hang up and report the call to the IRS by email, phishing@irs.org with the subject “IRS Phone Scam” and to report to the Federal Trade Commission writing “IRS Phone Scam” in the notes. In addition, you should never give out your personal information over the phone unless you are certain the other party is legitimate.

If you have any questions or concerns that you may have been targeted by this latest phone scam, contact attorney Ted McGinn tmcginn@lavellelaw.com or 847-705-9833. If you would like to learn about other scams the IRS warns taxpayers every year, CLICK HERE to read an article by my colleague, attorney Timothy Hughes.