This
may sound crazy, tax frauds and scammers are still active. You have stuffed
your tax information in a closet and now you need not worry about the tax.
However, identity theft can make you go through all these files and documents
again. Therefore, it is always better to learn how to spot a scammer.
Is the person at your door really an IRS guy?
IRS
representatives usually do not visit taxpayers. This is very rare but possible.
And, scammers know that sometimes IRS representatives knock doors of tax payers.
A scammer at your door will ask for immediate payment. The scammer may also
threaten to bring the police. However, real IRS representatives never ask for
immediate payment. Moreover, they never threaten to call local police. An IRS
representative will provide you with two forms of official credentials
including an HSPD-12 card and a pocket commission. HSPD-12 is a government-wide
standard for secure and reliable ID for federal employees and contractors.
Moreover, you also possess the right to see these credentials.
Is the mail you have received actually from
the IRS?
The
IRS sends letters to tax payers for many reasons. Whenever the IRS has any
issue, it sends written notice to tax payers. This notice explains the issue
and also provides the address, phone number and other details of agencies
involved in this. The IRS does not use aggressive threatening language in
letters. Therefore, always check the validity of the letter. Contact the IRS
office if you receive a mail claimed to be from IRS.
Is the phone call you have received from the IRS?
There
is an easy way spot a fraud caller. The IRS never calls you or sends an email
or text to ask for personal information for verification. The IRS finds
physical letters through mail more secure and reliable. Therefore, IRS sends
letters. If you have received any phone call, email or text, ignore it.
Follow
a simple rule of thumb. Whenever you are contacted by anyone claiming to be
from IRS, be it a phone call, text or an email and you have not received any
letter from IRS then it is a scam. Always visit local IRS office for the
validation of the letter you have received from IRS.
Filing sales tax return online minimizes the risk for identity theft and other scams.
It does not matter whether you are filing sales tax return on your own or you
are taking professional help, be careful and stay away from scammers.
