VALDOSTA, GA (WTXL) - There are several scams that have been reported and police want to make sure that you are aware.
Tax Preparer Phishing Scam
In one such scam called the “Tax Preparer Phishing Scam”, a bogus email asks tax professionals to update their IRS e-services portal information and Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs). The links that are provided in the bogus email to access IRS e-services appear to be a phishing scheme designed to capture your username and password. This email was not generated by the IRS e-services program. Disregard this email and DO NOT click on the link(s).
IRS-Impersonation Telephone Scam
In this aggressive and sophisticated phone scam callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. Using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers, victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.
Email Phishing Scam:
The emails appear to be from the IRS and include a link to a bogus web site intended to mirror the official IRS web site. These emails contain the direction “you are to update your IRS e-file immediately.” The emails mention USA.gov and IRSgov (without a dot between "IRS" and "gov"), though notably, not IRS.gov (with a dot). Again, DO NOT click on the link(s) provided.
Some helpful tips:
Note that the IRS will NEVER: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
Citizens may report instances of suspected scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or https://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Valdosta Police Department for additional questions.
