Summary: This article provides a firsthand perspective on the unsettling experience of falling victim to a scam and outlines immediate recovery actions. It highlights the emotional toll of such an event, from initial shock to the frustrating process of mitigation. Key steps emphasized include ceasing all contact with the perpetrator, securing compromised financial accounts by changing passwords and alerting institutions, and promptly reporting the incident to relevant authorities like the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement. For tax-related scams, contacting the IRS is crucial. The piece underscores the importance of placing fraud alerts or freezing credit and maintaining meticulous records of all related communications and actions. It also encourages victims to overcome any shame and seek professional assistance for comprehensive recovery.
April 15th is over! For some of our clients, that means a big sigh of relief – and for others, it means a whole new set of questions and anxieties. For the next few weeks we’re going to be running a “Slice of Life” series, where we address real-life questions clients bring us after they’ve filed their taxes (or not).
SLICE OF LIFE #1: A client calls us and says, “A person from the IRS is on the phone, and they’re threatening to arrest me!”
Has this ever happened to you?
If you’ve received a call like this, don’t panic. It’s probably a scam. Sadly, there’s a widespread ring of clever scam artists who call consumers and pretend to be the IRS in order to get your credit card information. These crooks may know a lot about you (more on that in a minute), and they use forged caller ID and fake IRS identification badge numbers. The IRS wants you to be aware of this problem, and they’ve provided a handy list of ways to spot suspicious calls.
If you’ve received a scam call, and you know you don’t owe back taxes, report the call to the IRS. You can call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484, or visit www.tigta.gov. You can also file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant.
However, if you’ve received a scam call, it’s possible that you DO owe back taxes, and that’s why you received the call. You may have had a lien filed on your property, which is where scammers sometimes get their information. (In a way, they’re a bit like sharks who start circling in the water when they sense blood.) If there’s a chance that this is the case, run, do not walk, to your nearest tax law firm! (We hope that’s us.) We can help you get a lien lifted, set up a payment plan, or get your debt moved to Currently Not Collectible status. Hopefully, that means no more calls from scammers, and a better night’s rest for you.
If you’ve received scam calls, if you have a lien on your property, or if you just have questions, give us a call at 844-841-9857, or schedule a free consultation here.
