#IRS #PhoneScams Scammers Target Elderly in IRS Phone Scams
Just
a reminder to be aware of phone scammers posing as IRS agents in the hopes of
stealing your money or accessing your personal information. Scammers love to
prey on the elderly, so please take extra precautions for those members of your
family that are elderly. Keep in mind that any demographic with a land line and
that may have contributed or subscribed to a group in the past is more likely
to land on a phone list used by scammers. The elderly are more likely to have
donated to political or charitable campaign, or receive frequent callers from
insurance, medical or other solicitors. Sometimes its easy to get confused.
Here
are several things the IRS will never do:
· Call to
demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid
debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a
bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
· Threaten
to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have
the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
· Demand
that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or
appeal the amount owed.
· Call
out of the blue about an unexpected tax refund.
I actually took a call at
my Mother’s home from a scammer. The scammer warned me that a warrant was out for
her arrest, that the arrest was imminent and that I should take action
immediately to avoid the arrest. It was fun to play along with them for a bit,
but my patience wore thin and I cut them off. I’m sure my parents got on a list because they’ve
had the same land line for over 20 years, made contributions in the past and
are on Medicare.
Please have a conversation
with those elderly around you to protect them.
