Don’t fall for this scam: The IRS won't call you

Don’t fall for this scam: The Better Business Bureau in Anchorage reports that people are receiving automated phone calls purporting to be from the IRS, saying there is something wrong with their tax return. Scammers can even make the caller id appear to be from IRS.

IRS will not initiate contact about a tax return processing problem over the phone, or by email. The IRS will always send taxpayers a written notification of any tax due by the U.S. mail. The IRS never asks for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone or by email. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do: Call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue, if there really is such an issue.

Protect yourselves from this and other scams with AARP’s Fraud Watch Network at http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch-network/