It can seem like new scams are always popping up in a never-ending barrage of tricks and techniques used to steal money or information. It’s important to pay attention to whatever the most recent scam is, but it’s also important to keep in mind those that are regularly recycled and repeated. One of the more common forms of scams involves impersonating a 政府ernment official or agency.

Historically, a prime target for impersonation has been the IRS. 这是有道理的. It’s an agency that asks for money and sparks anxiety. 带有敏感数据, 新规定, 复杂的方向, deadlines and threats of penalties, con artists may be able to take advantage of taxpayers’ stress by pretending to be an IRS agent and demanding confidential information. These scams can be lucrative, netting millions of dollars each year.

Tax scams are so common that the IRS publishes an annual list called 十二恶人 highlighting the most prevalent tax scams of the year.

常见的诈骗警告信号

It’s important to know the basics in order to protect yourself from scammers.

Pretending to be an IRS representative over the phone is one of the most common strategies. Some scammers use fake caller IDs with D.C. area codes to appear more plausible. Caller IDs may even read “IRS,” but it’s easy to control the information the receiver sees.

Another common method is to threaten dramatic action if instructions are not followed. This group may try to take advantage of confusion surrounding complicated laws — some may even reference nonexistent, 完全虚构的法律. Their goal is to ignite fear and instill a sense of urgency to get you to react quickly to their demands. They don’t want you to take the time to think and question the logic of the communication.

When receiving any kind of correspondence that appears to be from the IRS, always take a moment to pause and reflect on the tone of the message, 它的目的, and the manner in which it was delivered.

国税局如何沟通

In the event of an issue with your tax filing, the IRS will initiate contact by mail.

国税局不会:

• 通过电子邮件发起联系
• Initiate contact via phone without sending you multiple bills first by mail
• Demand payment in the form of prepaid cards or gift cards
• Ask for personal information like your Social Security number over the phone
• Threaten your driver’s license, business license or immigration status
• 威胁要逮捕你
• Ask for credit card payment over the phone

What to do if you suspect a scam

• 索要身份证明: IRS revenue officers carry two official credentials: a pocket commission and an HSPD-12 card. 要求两者都看.
• 把事件报告给 U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
• 转发邮件至 phishing@irs.政府 在删除之前. Do not click on any links or attachments as they may contain malware.
• Hang up if it’s an obvious phone scam.
• File a report with one of the three major credit card bureaus if the scammer knows part of your Social Security number to 防止身份盗窃.

Stay vigilant — tax scam season doesn’t end once the April filing deadline passes. Some types of scams increase as people anticipate their tax refund.