IRS phone scams

[Liz]

I received two phone calls today purportedly from the IRS with a recorded message that they have been trying to contact me and I needed to call another number right away. Of course I knew right away it was a scam, but after the second. Call from the same number, I decided to find out how or if I should report it. I know others have been affected by similar scams as well.

I found this list of current IRS scams on the IRS.gov website: https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

How to report a spam call: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-bu ... eport-them

My phone call came from San Jose, CA 669-201-1734 and I was being asked to call 442-243-5403 which of course I did not do.

[Carolinagal]

I've gotten so many calls saying from IRS, 3 in one day before I left home. Never thought to check they might be legit, all robot( I call them) calls I just automatically hang up anyway. Figured IF they wanted me they'd hunt me down, my funds aren't enough for them to bother with

But it's nice to know of some numbers to call to be sure they're phony. Thanks Liz

CArol

No calls on cell phone yet though.

[chalet05]

I seldom answer unfamiliar numbers and then I Google them. Often others have reported and some people actually know who called. Quite often for me it is a marketing company for Thousand Trails or a survey.

[havingfunnow]

It's good to report them, I think. Those sort of scams just keep popping up over and over, but at least it's possible to shut down many of the ones that get reported.

[retiredhappy]

I downloaded an app on my phone - Kaspersky internet security. When I get a call from a number that they know is a scammer or sales call it tells me BEFORE I answer and I can block that number. It won't catch all the calls but it does catch a lot of them. I don't ever answer a call from a number I don't recognize. If its someone legitimate they will leave a voice mail.

[Acadianmom]

I google the strange numbers and usually someone has reported it. Harold will pick up the phone. He can't hear or understand what they are telling him so I usually have to take the phone or he will hang up on them. I tell the ones that want to fix my computer that I don't have a computer. That confuses them.

Martha

[JudyJB]

The only time you should EVER give personal information over the phone is IF YOU CALLED THEM. And only then if you have found the number on an official web site or document such as an IRS or bank form.

These people are making a fortune on people who believe they are doing the right thing, acting lawfully, and being polite. We need to be rude more often.

[Carolinagal]

I don't have ID on home phone, so I do answer. Martha, one time computer people called me too, my laptop was in RV, not house and as soon as I said I didn't have a computer in there they hung right up !! Good way to get rid of them quick !! Haha

Judy, I don't like giving personal info over phone IF I call them. Which tv guy wanted my bank info when I called to have it suspended for the winter, I didn't give it to him, called another day, got a young woman and she never asked for anything about my bank info, and they never had before so I had this bad feeling. These people are all over the country so kind of hard to report a bad feeling.

CArol

[bluepinecones]

Thanks for the info Liz.
I've had several of the IRS calls as well but knew they were scams. I reported most of them. Same with the computer ones. Sadly for me I was not aware of the arrest warrant scam and fell for it.

[Liz]

Thanks for the info Liz.
I've had several of the IRS calls as well but knew they were scams. I reported most of them. Same with the computer ones. Sadly for me I was not aware of the arrest warrant scam and fell for it.

Certainly it can happen to any of us when caught off guard. So it's good to be reminded of these to remain aware.

[SoCalGalcas]

Yes, I agree Liz. Thanks for the info. lyn