I got a scary call today from persons purporting to be from IRS. They said that they had sent a letter last Jan. saying that a random audit showed that I had intentionally reported miscalculations and owed some $3,500 for 2008-2012. The address to which they first said they sent it had the wrong zip code; when they "got my file"--NOT pulled it up on computer--after I had told them the correct one, they said they made a mistake and that they had sent it to the right one. Then they said that a law suit was being filed with 4 charges under IRS Code #6331 with threats to garner ALL my assets, deport me if I were a "member" of another country, and issue within 3 hours a warrant for my arrest with imprisonment for up to 6 months. I asked them to resend the letter with all the details so I could tend to it, and they said that they couldn't. When I said that I wanted to submit it to my CPA, they said that wasn't possible and that I had to have a criminal lawyer and appear in court. They kept asking if I had any intention to resolve the issue. I said "yes" various times but that I could not get copies of the letter or any details about what was owed and why. They kept saying that I wasn't answering the question, getting more and more aggressive and not allowing me to respond or ask questions. I finally hung up on them.
I have talked to my CPA and a tax lawyer, and they were both initially concerned and then started laughing!
Red flags:
1. Both were Indian/Pakistani. Okay for the first one but not expected of the one to whom I was transferred, "the chief attorney".
2. The thing about "getting" my file and if I were a "member"--not citizen--of another country.
3. A lot of noise in the background like a tele-marketing business but also a car honking. Sorry, IRS has offices in big, air-conditioned buildings...
4. !!! Contact by phone!!! IRS does NOT contact people by phone, maybe not even email, for these purposes.
5. Refusal to send another copy of the letter when I said that I really didn't get the first one. Said they couldn't and that sending info to the CPA was not allowed. I would need a criminal lawyer to appear with me in court.
6. Such drastic consequences for only $3,500 with no second chance.
7. It was alarming because they had my name, my address (albeit with the wrong zip at first), my phone number, and the first 5 digits of my SS#! They also said that the case was against me alone and did not include my husband which is curious because we file jointly. How could they have separated out my information from the combined whole return???!!!
Result: Apparently this is a Pakistani/Indian scam. I didn't talk to them long enough to get to where they would offer for me to send the money or a fee for their lawyer to settle out of court. Wonder where they would have asked me to send it and to whom?
Watch out! Hang up on them, and they won't call back, realizing that you have probably figured it out and won't take the bait.
I also have gotten spurious emails from the IRS supposedly and report them.
This is an India or Pakistan based IRS scam. Write to Congress!
You can use the following template for your letter or email:
Senators
Use the district office address of your senator as displayed on http://www.senate.gov/
Your letter should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Mailing Address of District Office
City, State, Zip Code
Representatives (House)
Use the district office address of your district representative as displayed on
http://www.house.gov/
Your letter should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Mailing Address of District Office
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Senator/Representative XXX
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to demand decisive action from the FBI, the IRS and other federal agencies against organized crime directed against American citizens from abroad.
As widely reported by local and national media all across the United States and warned about by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (see http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/press/press_tigta-2014-03.htm) a tidal wave of fraud using Internet phones has hit the United States. Millions of dollars already have been stolen by criminals impersonating federal officers from the IRS while hiding in countries like India and Pakistan, where most of the calls originate. There seems to be no end of it in sight.
I have personally been targeted by these scammers but it is the most vulnerable among us that I am concerned about primarily. The scheme is specifically singling out those that can least defend themselves against these crimes, in particular the elderly. I am also worried that given the origin of these gangsters, the money stolen from US citizens may be used for financing of terrorism or other activities directed against the national interests of the United States. But in spite of this clear and present danger to our country and its citizens I have seen no action worth mentioning by the FBI, the IRS or other federal agencies so far.
As a member of Congress overseeing the law enforcement agencies tasked with fighting fraud and ensuring national security, I implore you to make sure that they act on these threats and are given all the necessary resources to target these criminals in cooperation with foreign law enforcement.
I received one of these calls and the most disturbing thing is that they had the first 5 numbers of my social security. They were very threatening and were going to throw me in jail. Please don't be fooled by them.
I received a phone call and a message on my cell phone. The message said that this was for Carolyn Tomlinson (not my name, but my middle name!) and that they received a report from the IRS about my taxes!! Whatever!! Why can't we get these calls stopped??! I am on the do not call registry, but apparently it doesn't do any good!
I had a message on my cell from this number stating in poor English that I'm under investigation from Irs and if I don't act they'll take legal action. I was addressed by my nickname which was grossly misspronounced by this Indian guy. Hopefully IRS or sb from law enforcement is following thru on the complaints.