Do scammers every use the US mail?
The IRS has released the following:
"One of the newest and more devious schemes involves mail coming in a cardboard envelope from either a delivery service or the United States Postal Service (USPS). The enclosed letter includes the IRS masthead and wording that the notice is "in relation to your unclaimed refund." The contact information does not belong to the IRS, but the mailing looks official. This scheme seeks sensitive personal information from taxpayers-including driver's license photos-that can be used by identity thieves to steal the taxpayer's refund and other sensitive financial information.
How can I spot a scammer that comes to my door?
The IRS has given this advice:
"Scam artists may also appear at the door posing as IRS agents, creating confusion for not just the taxpayers but also local law enforcement agencies. As this scam as grown, taxpayer confusion about home visits by IRS revenue officers has increased.
To help combat these scams, the IRS recently announced that it is ending most unannounced visits to taxpayers by agency revenue officers. In place of the unannounced visits, revenue officers will instead contact taxpayers through an appointment letter, known as a 725-B Letter, and schedule a follow up meeting. This will help taxpayers feel more prepared when it is time to meet.
Taxpayers who receive a request from IRS in the mail or by phone can always contact IRS customer service to authenticate it."
How do the scammers use electronic communication?
According to the IRS "Taxpayers should be on the lookout for a summer surge of tax scams as identity thieves continue sending email and text messages promising tax refunds or offers to help 'fix' tax problems. They may pose as the IRS or tax professionals, urging the taxpayer to click fraudulent links so the identity thieves can steal valuable personal information.
Taxpayers should remember, the IRS NEVER initiates contact regarding a bill or tax refund by email, text or social media.