published August, 2014
Apparently there is a current scam where someone calls, usually to your cell phone, impersonates the IRS and demands you pay for “back taxes” or you’ll go to jail or they will suspend your driver’s license.
They make their caller ID appear as if they are the IRS.
They send a bogus email appearing to be from the IRS.
They call a second time claiming to be the police or DMV.
The IRS does not call your cell phone and instruct you where to go to wire them money, or stay on the phone with you while you drive to Wallmart to buy a “cash card” and read them the numbers over the phone to pay your tax bill. The IRS will not ask for a credit card number over the phone. The IRS will not stay on the phone with you. In fact, it will probably take you several hours of being on hold to talk to someone at all.
I heard about this scam at the IRS National Tax Forum in San Diego in July. The callers apparently find the names of real IRS employees, and its extra specially good if they have the last four digits of your social security number. But don’t send them any money.
If you get a call from “the IRS,” tell them you have representation and they should talk to your enrolled agent. If you think you owe taxes, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040.