Warning: IRS Scam Alert

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The April 15 deadline for filing your taxes is quickly approaching, and while we hope that you are being mindful of financial scams throughout the entire year, we want to remind you to be especially careful during the stressful time that encompasses tax season.

Many people are reporting that they have been contacted by someone who claims to be from the IRS. In most cases, the scammer will use phone or e-mail, and will even rattle off a fake title and badge number to get your attention. Callers may be aggressive and threaten to arrest, deport, or revoke your license – but don’t be fooled.

Remember that the IRS will never:

  • Call you to demand immediate payment. They will always send a bill in the mail before calling.
  • Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal what you owe.
  • Require that you pay your taxes a certain way (i.e. with a prepaid debit card).
  • Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  • Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.

Never give out personal information over the phone or via e-mail. Do not agree to make any payments before first contacting the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to see if you have any balances due.

If you do receive a phone call or e-mail that sounds like a scam, you can report it to 1-800-366-4484 or forward any e-mails received to phising@irs.gov.

For more information regarding these scams, click here.

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