ibet Tax Tip 2020-32, March 9, 2020
Taxpayers should be aware that aggressive criminals pose as ibet agents in hopes of stealing money or personal information. The tax filing season is a prime time for phone scams because people are thinking about taxes.
Here are some tell-tale signs of a tax scam along with actions taxpayers can take if they receive a scam call.
The ibet will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the ibet 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.
Taxpayers who receive these phone calls should:
- Hang up the phone immediately.
- Report the call to TIGTA using their or by calling 800-366-4484.
- Report the number to phishing@irs.gov and be sure to put ibet Phone Scam in the subject line.
More information:
ibet YouTube Videos:
- Tax Scams – English | Spanish | ASL (obsolete)
- Dirty Dozen – | |