Tax Debt Reduction Robocall Protection and Prevention

Protecting yourself from tax debt reduction robocall scams requires vigilance, but it's a crucial step in safeguarding your financial well-being.

Don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize, as 75% of robocall scams originate from unknown numbers.

To stay one step ahead, register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, which can block legitimate robocalls and reduce unwanted calls.

By taking these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your chances of falling victim to a tax debt reduction robocall scam.

You've probably received one of those annoying tax debt relief robocalls, promising to help you solve your tax debt for pennies. Almost one in three Americans (59.4 million) fell victim to phone scams between 2020 and 2021, with around 19% being fleeced more than once.

These scammers are experts at finding their targets, often contacting them via phone calls, text messages, email, and direct mail. They'll go through tax lien notices looking for individuals who are likely to be interested in their promises.

Scammers will promise to remove interest fees and solve tax debt for pennies, but it's all a trick. Many of them will try to get you to reveal your sensitive financial information.

If you owe money to the IRS, know that scammers will likely target you. In fact, over $29 billion was stolen from unsuspecting victims between 2020 and 2021.

Almost one in three Americans have been victimized by a phone scam between 2020 and 2021, with over $29 billion lost to these calls.

If you receive a call from someone offering to lower or eliminate your tax debt and penalties, be wary, as the IRS will not call you unless they already have contacted you in other ways.

Dishonest companies and scammers will often target individuals who owe money to the IRS, and they will contact their targets via phone calls, text messages, email, and direct mail.

Many scammers trick victims into revealing their sensitive financial information, so it's essential to be cautious.

The IRS will only contact you if you've already received correspondence from them about a debt or if you've contacted them previously.

If you're unsure about the legitimacy of the call, you can ask the caller to provide their details through the mail rather than over the phone, which is a dead-end for a con artist.

Protecting yourself from tax debt reduction robocalls requires some common sense and knowledge of how scammers operate. Never give out personal information over the phone to someone you don't know or trust, including your social security number, bank account information, and credit card numbers.

The IRS will never demand immediate payment using a specific payment method or without giving you the opportunity to appeal. If someone claims to be from the IRS, ask for their name and contact information, and then verify their legitimacy by calling the agency directly.

To filter out unwanted calls, consider using a call-blocking app or service like YouMail. These apps can block known spam numbers and identify suspicious calls, making it easier to avoid potential scams.

If you owe money to the IRS, be cautious about services that ask for payment in advance. The IRS will typically mail a bill to taxpayers who owe money, so be wary of unsolicited contact via phone, email, or text message.

Here are some tips for avoiding tax debt relief scams:

If you've been scammed by a tax debt compromise program phone call, report the incident to your local government immediately. This is the first step in taking control of the situation and getting help.

Try reporting the scam to your State Attorney General's office and the FBI, as they can assist you in getting your money back and preventing further identity theft. Don't hesitate to reach out to these authorities.

If you've already paid a company and they're not living up to their promises, contact the IRS by completing a Form 14242, which reports suspects of abusive tax promotions or preparers. This will help you get the attention of the IRS and potentially get your money back.

Don't trust that someone is who they say they are, or that the number, email address, or social media handle they're contacting you from is as it appears. Scammers use spoofing to make it seem like they're contacting you from a legitimate source.

Verify the contact by reaching out to the IRS directly, rather than engaging with the scammer. This will help you avoid falling for their tricks and stay safe.

Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau, as they can also help you get your money back and prevent further identity theft.

Be cautious of unsolicited contact, as scammers often use this tactic to create a sense of urgency.

The IRS will never demand immediate payment using a specific payment method or without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to appeal.

Don't give out personal information over the phone to someone you don't know or trust.

This includes your social security number, bank account information, and credit card numbers.

Consider using a call-blocking app or service to filter out unwanted calls.

YouMail is a popular option that can block known spam numbers and identify suspicious calls.

Stay informed about the latest scam tactics by keeping up with IRS warnings and alerts.

Scammers will often use high-pressure sales tactics to convince you to pay their fee upfront. They'll promise to stop IRS collection activity and resolve your tax debt, but they'll often fail to deliver on their promises.

These companies may claim you've "qualified" or are "eligible" for an IRS program to resolve your back tax debt, but only the IRS can make that determination. They'll often request the same documents from you multiple times, and then conclude that you no longer qualify or that the IRS rejects their efforts.

Some scammers will even go through tax lien notices looking for individuals who they know will be interested in their promises. They'll contact you via phone calls, text messages, email, and direct mail, and may trick you into revealing your sensitive financial information.

Here are some tips to help you avoid these scams:

You're receiving scam calls, and you want to know why? Scammers often target people with certain attributes that make them more vulnerable.

A hearing or vision impairment can make you an easy target, as scammers may use video relay services to seem more legitimate.

Scammers may also call people who speak English as a second language in their native language, threatening them with a police arrest.

Cognitive issues associated with older age can also be exploited by scammers, who may use tactics that take advantage of these issues.

You've probably noticed that scammers often use tactics that play on your emotions, making you feel anxious or scared.

If you're struggling with tax debt, it's essential to be cautious of scams that promise to resolve your issues for a fee. The IRS warns that some companies use false promises and deceptive tactics to take advantage of consumers.

Don't trust a company's claim that you have "qualified" or are "eligible" for an IRS program to resolve your back tax debt. Only the IRS can make that determination.

Be wary of services that ask for payment in advance. If a company charges a high upfront fee, possibly thousands of dollars, for their services, it's likely a scam.

You can try to resolve your problem directly with the IRS by calling the number on your IRS notice and asking about collection alternatives. You may be eligible for a monthly payment plan, or you may be able to pay less than the amount you owe.

If you can't resolve your problem with the IRS, you have options to resolve your issues for free. You can seek help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) or contact the IRS's Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).

To protect yourself from tax debt relief scams, follow these tips:

Don't ignore the notices the IRS sends you. The problem won't go away. If you can't resolve your problem with the IRS, you have options to resolve your issues for free.

You can seek help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). To see if you qualify for help, go to IRS's Taxpayer Advocate Service page and click on "Low Income Tax Clinics." The site includes a list of clinics in your area.

If you suspect practitioner misconduct, you can report the behavior to the IRS via e-mail at [email protected]. If you're a victim of a tax debt relief scam, file a complaint with the Alaska Attorney General's Office.

Almost one in three Americans (59.4 million) reveal they were victimized by a phone scam between 2020 and 2021. Bad actors, including fraudsters masquerading as IRS representatives, tricked these victims out of more than $29 billion over that time.

The IRS will not call you unless they already have contacted you in other ways. If you know you have a tax issue, you have received letters, and have reached back out to the IRS, you likely gave them your phone number – in which case they might call you with a follow-up.

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

If you suspect you're dealing with a tax scammer, follow these steps:

Remember: Not many taxpayers will qualify for an IRS offer in compromise. You can check if you are eligible directly with the IRS at irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier.

The IRS and robocalls are a concerning combination. The IRS has been criticized for its use of robocalls to collect tax debt, with some calls being made by scammers posing as IRS agents.

In 2020, the IRS reported receiving over 1.4 million complaints about robocalls. These calls can be intimidating and may lead to financial loss for unsuspecting taxpayers.

Taxpayers have reported receiving robocalls claiming to be from the IRS, demanding payment of tax debt. These calls often include threats of arrest or other severe consequences if payment is not made immediately.

The IRS has a phone number, 1-800-829-1040, that taxpayers can call to verify the legitimacy of a call. However, scammers often use this number to make fake calls appear legitimate.

The IRS has also taken steps to combat robocall scams, including launching a website to educate taxpayers about these scams.