Watch Out For IRS Scams This Summer

-Source-Forbes-

Now that tax season is over (well, except for those of us on extension), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to remain on alert for phishing emails and telephone scams. According to the IRS, summer attracts the attention of scammers since so many taxpayers expect to hear from the tax agency - so much so that tax pros refer to this time of year as correspondence season.

Scammers continue to change their tricks to stay ahead of law enforcement but generally try to get taxpayers to reveal personal information like Social Security numbers, account information, PINs or passwords over the phone or via email. Here are some of the ways that scammers try to trick you into revealing your information:

1. Pre-recorded messages. For most variations on this scam, scammers call and leave phone messages that suggest that if you do not call back, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Remember: The IRS does not call and leave pre-recorded, urgent messages asking for a call back.

2. Demand for payment calls. In this scheme, scammers call and claim that you have an outstanding tax bill. They then demand payment over the phone using gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers. The IRS does not call and demand payment using specific methods, or threaten law-enforcement agency intervention, deportation or revocation of driver's licenses if you don't pay.

3. Taxpayer assistance center (TAC) calls. To try and convince you that they're for real, criminals fake or "spoof" caller ID numbers, including numbers from a taxpayer assistance center. Read more