Pa. Consumers Warned Of Resurgent Tax Scam
HARRISBURG (CBS) – Attorney General Kathleen Kane is warning Pa. residents about a common telephone scam that often crops up during tax season.
In the scam, Kane says the caller appears legitimate because he or she references personal information that's not widely available. That info includes the last four digits of the victim's Social Security Number, information about the victim's family, spoofing the IRS's telephone number or even the numbers of law enforcement or government entities on caller ID and sending bogus emails that appear to be from the IRS.
The caller might even pressure the victim to take action or threaten imminent arrest.
AG Kane says consumers should hang up and verify their tax status directly with the IRS by calling 800-829-1040.
Consumers should also report the scam to:
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Hotline
P.O. Box 589 - Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0589
(800) 366-4484
www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
The IRS says it will never call taxpayers about taxes they owe without first sending an official notice by mail, demand payment of taxes without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed, require taxpayers to use a specific method for payment or ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
"Scams like this always pick up around tax season," Kane said. "Consumers can avoid falling victim to scammers by remembering never to share personal or financial information over the telephone to any unsolicited callers," said Attorney General Kane. "The IRS sends written notification by mail of any tax due and will not request credit or debit card information over the phone."
