IRS Dirty Dozen – Part 1

Every year the IRS publishes a list of scams that they call the ‘Dirty Dozen’.

Over the next several posts I will talk about the 2020 list of scams.  Below are 3 of them:

1. Phishing:  Fake emails or websites designed to steal your personal information.  The IRS will NEVER initiate contact with you through email (or text or social media channels) about a tax bill, a refund, or an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus payment as everyone calls it).  Do not click on links claiming to be from the IRS.   If you want to know more about phishing or you suspect that an email (or other contact) is phishing, click on this link for more information:  Phishing
2. Fake Charities: All kinds of charities are set up following natural disasters and other situations, such as COVID-19.  Most are legitimate, but some are fake, created by criminals, to steal from well-intentioned people trying to help in times of need.  Fraudulent schemes start with unsolicited contact by phone, text, social media, or in-person using a variety of tactics.  For more information:  Fake charities.

3. Threatening impersonator phone calls: Almost everyone I know has at one time or another gotten one of these calls, supposedly from the IRS. These scam phone calls include those threatening arrest, deportation, or license revocation if you (the potential victim) don’t pay a fake tax bill. The IRS will never threaten a taxpayer or surprise them with a demand for immediate payment.  For more information:  Threatening impersonator phone calls