As phone scams continue to be a major threat to taxpayers, the IRS recently indicated that scammers are becoming more aggressive and threatening. We want to remind you that the IRS Will Never:
• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
• Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Call you about an unexpected refund.

For Taxpayers Who Don’t Owe Taxes or Don’t Think They Do:
• Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
• Contact the Treasury Inspector General to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page. Alternatively, call 800-366-4484.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

For Those Who Owe Taxes or Think They Do:
• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help.

We look forward to helping you complete your 2017 tax filing requirements and, as always, want to keep your personal information safe from scammers.

Have a wonderful day,

Zimmerman & Co
(513) 624-3900