The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers of a sophisticated nationwide phone scheme that has become “the largest scam of its kind that we have ever seen.” The scheme reportedly involves individuals telephoning taxpayers claiming they represent the IRS and demanding immediate payments with a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.
Reportedly thousands of victims — taxpayers — have already paid more than $1 million to the fraudulent individuals posing as IRS agents, according to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Russell George. He stated that his agency has received more than 20,000 reports of contact. Government officials also said that the perpetrators often know the last four digits of the victims’ Social Security numbers and threaten arrest, deportation and removal of driver’s licenses — something the IRS is not authorized to do.
If you feel you have been a victim of this scam, contact Wilson Ratledge and let one of our attorneys assist you.