Summer Scam Alert: Fake IRS Agents

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent, don’t necessarily take them at their word.

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The IRS has reported a recent uptick in criminals who pretend to be from the bureau in an effort to scam people out of thousands of dollars over the phone. The caller will often threaten arrest or prosecution for unpaid taxes, even when you don’t have any, and then offer to waive those penalties in exchange for immediate cash.

Fortunately, there are some tell-tale signs to help you protect yourself. The IRS never demands payment without giving you the opportunity to question the charge, so anyone who does so can immediately be identified as a scammer. Any “agent” who asks for your credit card number over the phone or demands payment in a specific way (like a prepaid debit card) is also a scammer.