IRS scam caller

[UGetPaid]

After a really rough day at work on Thursday, I came home to a robo-call phone message on my answering machine alerting me that the IRS had filed a lawsuit against me and directed me to call a specific number to obtain information about the case against me.  It took me off guard at first -- probably because I was already in a "less than ideal" mood at the time, and my defenses were down.  My first thought was "don't they send out a written audit notice before taking steps like this?"


Rather than calling the number they left, I Googled it instead.  This is a good idea to do anytime you receive harassing, threatening, collection, or just downright questionable telephone calls.  There are a few websites where people report calls they've received from particular numbers.  This is a very good way to become aware of scams.  Sure enough, the number that was left for me to call has had dozens of hits over the past several weeks and is indeed a scam.  Some recipients reported calling the number back to harass or waste the time of the scammer.  This is not something that I recommend, but it was moderately enjoyable to read the creative responses.


This is just one of many phone scams out there that preys on the fears of the average citizen.  Don't get taken in! Many of these scams materialize around this time of year, which is both sad and infuriating to me.  The thought that someone might be talked into turning over money set aside for Christmas shopping just out of fear is awful.  Be smart, always double check, and if you answer one of these calls and speak to a live person, always ask for documentation of the issues before giving out any personal information or agreeing to pay any money!!!  When they refuse to answer your questions to your satisfaction, hang up the phone!

[Penwoir]

I remember being scammed once in a similar way. We received a robo-call from our bank saying they could give us a lower rate on our credit card. My husband was curious, I was skeptical, but he rang them back to get further details. They gave him our last payment date and current balance, it all seemed factual. I was still skeptical and told my husband that we would ring the bank before doing anything. Sure enough when we called our bank, they said they never telephone to advise of a better deal on a customer's credit card, and it was most certainly a scam. We closed our credit card and applied for a new one. It's astonishing how the scammers got our current balance and last payment details.

[miltonarmitage]

UGetPaid, You handled the situation expertly and the advice you give is perfect too, there's nothing I can add to what you said. It's really too bad there are so many scammers in this world, it can never hurt to not panic and take steps as you did to find out the facts. Well done!

[Nancy5]

I hate the phone calls like that.  My question is we are on the do not call list and update it each year, but the calls keep coming!  I guess that list is just a waste of time.

[hawkeye3210]

I hate the phone calls like that.  My question is we are on the do not call list and update it each year, but the calls keep coming!  I guess that list is just a waste of time.

These scams they are running are illegal. Why would they follow a do not call list? Those are for honest telemarketing call.

[teresa3200]

I had a call telling me my pc had been hacked and they needed to have access to my pc to clean it up for me. Of course I had already knew it was fraud because I had heard so many people on Facebook talking about having the same calls. I just told the woman that was the craziest call I had ever heard and I hung up.

[renee10]

I got a call like this recently and knew it was a scam immediately because the IRS never will call you. When they didn't get a reply the first time they actually left a 2nd notice message. I can't believe the nerve of some people.

[ancmetro]

     Be careful because there are a lot of scammers in this world.

[tgreen20]

Yea, I never even listen to my voice mail....a lot of scams going on......and doing surveys I have a google number I give out so my person cell doesn't have unwanted calls.

Get a free google number if you have a gmail account

[missplaymate618]

Yes I have received a call just like that recently when I was in school, so I called my parents because that was the first time I had ever received a call dealing with the "IRS" and my parents told me that they send out written letters and to not call back, they are now blocked on my cell phone. I'm also on the do not call list so I don't know how they are still getting through.

[alice44]

What a good idea to Google the number.  I wouldn't have thought of that.  I would have just erased and dismissed the call.

[natashaspy]

wow...we got one of those calls too! it didn't leave a name who they were talking to, said they were trying to keep us from being put in jail for federal offences but never said what it was.  we didn't call it back either.  told my husband it had to be a scam or they'd have given more details and said a specific name!

[kimber62372]

Just remember that the IRS never calls anyone. You will only get their intimidating love letters! lol ... These people that come up with these scams make me sick! They have nothing else better to do than to upset people because they get off on stuff like that! Next time you get a phone call like that tell them the IRS called you and told them to go after them that they owed them money. That will stop them in their tracks! lol

[mgint]

dont ever give personal information over the phone.

[braggin]

We got the IRS scam call too. They seem to be targeting seniors for that because a lot of my senior friends got it too. How do the scammers even know who is a senior and who isn't? Anyways, I appreciate your tip about looking up the caller ID numbers to see if others have experienced the same thing. I had not thought of doing that before.