Now that tax season is here, federal officials are warning about scammers posing as IRS agents. The IRS says the tax scam is the most common tax scam, with victims losing more than $26 million. Managing editor Tami Roleff gives tips on how you can avoid being a victim…
The IRS scam involves con artists who call people and tell them they owe money and are about to be arrested. Some imposters may claim to be from the California Franchise Tax Board. The victims are told they can avoid prosecution by wiring money or sending money using debit cards. Do NOT fall for this scam. The IRS or California Franchise Tax Board NEVER initiates its first contact with taxpayers over the phone, by fax, OR by e-mail, nor do they take payments over the phone. (But don’t ignore a letter sent by snail mail from the IRS or Franchise Tax Board.) And the IRS doesn’t call you to tell you they are sending a deputy to arrest you. If you think you are the victim of a tax scam, report it.
•To report someone impersonating an IRS employee, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at (800) 366-4484 or www.tigta.gov
•For cases of identity theft involving state taxes, contact the California Franchise Tax Board at (916) 845-3669 or https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/id_theft.shtm
