SHERIFF OTTO HANAK ADDRESSES I.R.S. SCAMS

  

As we conclude the year 2015, most of us are thinking about the complicated process of filing tax returns and questioning if our private information will be safe during this process.  We are also considering the ways we could be a victim of a con artist who looks forward to tax filing season. The I.R.S. continues to warn the public, as law enforcement officials do, to be alert for telephone scams from callers claiming to be with the I.R.S. The scammers often demand money to pay taxes. Some may try to con you by saying that you’re due a refund in hopes you will give them your banking or other private financial information.

These criminals can sound convincing when they call. They may even know a lot about you. They may alter the caller ID to makes it look like the I.R.S. is calling. They use fake names and bogus I.R.S. badge numbers. If you don’t answer, they often leave an “urgent” callback request.

The I.R.S. respects taxpayer rights when working out payment of your taxes. So, it should be easy to tell when a supposed I.R.S. caller is a fake. Below are five things these criminals often do that the I.R.S. will never do. Any one of these five things is a sign of a scam. The I.R.S. does not:

1. Call you to demand immediate payment. We will not call about taxes you owe without first mailing you a bill.
2. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the chance to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
3. Require you to use a certain payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
5. Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the I.R.S. and asking for money, here’s what to do:

• If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the I.R.S. at 800-829-1040 to talk about payment options. You also may be able to set up a payment plan online at IRS.gov.
• If you know you do not owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to TIGTA at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.
• If phone scammers target you, also contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov. Use their “F.T.C. Complaint Assistant” to report the scam. Please add "I.R.S. Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint.As the Sheriff of Washington County, it is my obligation to our citizens to do all I can to prevent these type crimes and to assist those that have been a victim of this criminal behavior. Otto H. Hanak, Sheriff     
• Washington County

• Remember, the I.R.S. currently does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issues. For more information on reporting tax scams, go to www.irs.gov and type “scam” in the search box.