Tax Tip 2019-149: Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new version of SSN scam

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 10/24/2019 11:15 AM EDT

IRS Tax Tips

October 24, 2019

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-149

Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new version of SSN scam

Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new variations of tax-related scams. In the latest twist on a scam related to Social Security numbers, scammers claim to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN. It’s yet another attempt by con artists to frighten people into returning ‘robocall’ voicemails.

Scammers may mention overdue taxes in addition to threatening to cancel the person’s SSN. If taxpayers receive a call threatening to suspend their SSN for an unpaid tax bill, they should just hang up.

Make no mistake…it’s a scam.

Taxpayers should not give out sensitive information over the phone unless they are positive they know the caller is legitimate. When in doubt –hang up. Here are some telltale signs of this scam. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never:

Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, iTunes gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
Ask a taxpayer to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury.
Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

Taxpayers who don’t owe taxes and have no reason to think they do should:

Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. The taxpayer should write “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.
Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission. When reporting it, they should add “IRS Phone Scam” in the notes.

Taxpayers who owe tax or think they do should:

View tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount owed and review their payment options.
Call the number on the billing notice
Call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

More information:
Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts

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Tax Tip 2019-149: Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new version of SSN scam

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Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-149