Dirty Dozen 2020: Threatening Impersonator Phone Calls

    For many years the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has placed impersonating phone calls on the Dirty Dozen list of scams for Taxpayers to watch out for. These calls come in many forms, the most common is one where the criminal claims to be with the IRS and demand immediate payment. The goal is to create fear and a sense of urgency in the victim. The IRS will never surprise anyone with a payment demand.

    These kinds of tactics are also called vishing (voice phishing). Calls that threaten arrest or deportation for not paying a surprise tax bill are fake. Often they are recorded messages that give instructions about how to return the call. You will not receive a “robocall” from the IRS. They will also never ask for your financial information over the phone or call to ask you about your Economic Impact Payment. If you have a tax problem, talk to the IRS, or your Qualified Tax Professional.

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