Officials warn against potential tax scams
As the filing deadline for your 2016 taxes approaches, The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office warns citizens about several IRS scams.
It is important to remember that if the IRS has questions about your taxes, they will send you an official letter. They will NOT initially call you.
Do not provide your personal information over the phone to anyone you cannot positively identify.
Recently, scammers have been leaving messages for people and saying they owe the IRS money.
Once the victim talks to the scammer, they threaten some type of legal action if they do not receive immediate payment of thousands of dollars. Scammers will then request wire transfers or money or even gift cards.
The IRS will never accept any type of gift card as payment for a tax debt.
If you do receive a call from someone claiming to be the IRS, you should do the following:
1. Record the employee’s name, badge number, call back number, and caller ID.
2. Call 1-800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee.
If you file your tax return and the IRS notifies you by mail that it has already been filed, it is likely someone filed a fraudulent tax return with your Social Security Number.
If this is the case, complete the IRS #14039 form found on the IRS website.
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