Protect Yourself from Common Scams
There’s a widespread issue with scammers pretending to be from the IRS, a well-known American institution. These scammers are looking to trick people and steal their money by claiming to be associated with the IRS. But remember, the real IRS doesn’t make unsolicited calls, send emails, or text messages – they communicate only through postal mail. So, if someone calls you claiming to be from the IRS, it’s best to hang up and ignore them.
One prevalent scam involves receiving a call stating that your account has illegal activity flagged by the IRS. This is a trick to scare you into giving away personal information or money. Always remember that the IRS won’t contact you this way. If you receive any suspicious calls, just ignore them. The IRS handles official communications through regular mail.
If you’re uncertain about a message supposedly from the IRS, pay attention to the caller’s tone. If they become aggressive or threaten to involve law enforcement, it’s likely a scam. Moreover, scammers often make grammatical errors in their messages, which is unlikely from a government agency like the IRS.
If you ever doubt the authenticity of an IRS message, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Most likely, they’ll confirm that it’s a scam and advise you to disregard any requests for money or personal information. Always be cautious and protect yourself from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
