Tag Archives: scam

Don’t Get Scammed by IRS Imposters!

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With Tax Day less than a month away, IRS imposter scams are in full force, robbing taxpayers of millions of their hard-earned dollars. Watch our video here and read on to learn how this scam works and how you can avoid getting taken by it.

How it Works:

You get a call from someone claiming to be an IRS employee. The caller claims you owe a specific amount in taxes, and may threaten to arrest you if you don’t pay immediately. The call seems legitimate because the caller ID looks like it’s from the IRS, and the caller may even know part of your Social Security number.

What You Should Know:

The IRS will NEVER call and demand immediate payment without first sending a notice through the mail. The IRS will never ask for credit or debit cards over the phone, and will never threaten you with arrest for nonpayment.

What You Should Do:
  • Don’t press 1 to speak to the operator – this puts you at risk for receiving more calls.
  • If a call like this makes you concerned that you may owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
  • Call AARP’s helpline for advice at 877-908-3360.
Learn more about this scam and tax identity theft here. And please share this important alert with your friends and family!

read more, watch vid —>  http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch-network/

Largest Ever Phone Fraud Scam Targeting Taxpayers

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Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Warns of “Largest Ever” Phone Fraud Scam Targeting Taxpayers

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration (TIGTA) issued a warning to taxpayers to beware of phone calls from individuals claiming to represent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in an effort to defraud them.

“This is the largest scam of its kind that we have ever seen,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. George noted that TIGTA has received reports of over 20,000 contacts and has become aware of thousands of victims who have collectively paid over $1 million as a result of the scam, in which individuals make unsolicited calls to taxpayers fraudulently claiming to be IRS officials.

“The increasing number of people receiving these unsolicited calls from individuals who fraudulently claim to represent the IRS is alarming,” he said. “At all times, and particularly during the tax filing season, we want to make sure that innocent taxpayers are alert to this scam so they are not harmed by these criminals,” George said, adding, “Do not become a victim.”

Inspector General George urged taxpayers to heed warnings about the sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, noting that the scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every State in the country. Callers claiming to be from the IRS tell intended victims they owe taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license.

The truth is the IRS usually first contacts people by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes. And the IRS won’t ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS also won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone.

“If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and uses threatening language if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling,” he said.

The callers who commit this fraud often:

  • Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers.
  • Know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security Number.
  • Make caller ID information appear as if the IRS is calling.
  • Send bogus IRS e-mails to support their scam.
  • Call a second time claiming to be the police or department of motor vehicles, and the caller ID again supports their claim.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s what to do:

  • If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.
  • If you don’t owe taxes, call and report the incident to TIGTA at 800-366-4484.
  • You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.

TIGTA and the IRS encourage taxpayers to be alert for phone and e-mail scams that use the IRS name. The IRS will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, texting or any social media. You should forward scam e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. Don’t open any attachments or click on any links in those e-mails.

Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes winner) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.

Read more about tax scams on the genuine IRS website at www.irs.gov.

courtesy of:  http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/

 

 

Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network

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courtesy of:  CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

New Web site launched to prevent loan mod scams
The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network, launched PreventLoanScams.org, a new Web site to prevent loan modification scams.

The Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network developed the Web site to provide homeowners with a single destination to report alleged scammers. Complaints filed online are added to a national complaint database and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for review. The Network estimates that the Web site will assist approximately 50,000 homeowners affected by scams. Additionally, HUD has directed its local fair housing and housing counseling grantees to begin reporting alleged loan modification scams via the Web site. 
 

Mary “Peg” Heying
REALTOR® – CA DRE License # 01726709

Prudential CA Realty
2830 Shelter Island Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106
Cell:  (619) 301-8589