BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The IRS is warning the public for a surge in new email phishing scams this time of year as the holidays and tax season present great opportunities for scam artists to attempt to steal valuable information through fake emails.
According to the IRS, those scams are on the ride and in 2018, the IRS noted a 60% increase in bogus email schemes that seek to steal money or tax data.
The IRS wants to remind tax payers that the IRS will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you about a bill.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
If you have any questions about any IRS email or phone call, you can contact the IRS at (800) 829-1049.
