Today I received a call (which I ignored) that resulted in voice message stating that a case had been filed against me on my name and SSN. And demanded that I do not ignore the message and call back the number with my lawyer! The caller did not provide any specifics about for what the case is and he did not even state my name. How are these people getting phone numbers? Do they just pick a random number and call?
It's unlikely any government can stop these people. The Indian government occasionally closes down the scamming call centers but with a population of one billion, new call centers crop up almost immediately. Call blocker might help.
After he said all of his nonsense, I asked him why is it that everytime an Indian person gets on the train, it smells like they use curry powder instead of deodorant.
I got 4 calls from this number. The guy called me twice in the morning and twice in the evening. He left me exaclty the same message twice. His name is Craig Miller and calling from criminal investigation department. I'm glad that I googled and found the information.
Craig Miller (yeah, sure) is still at it. I received 4 calls from this moron over yesterday and today, with a recorded message claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. It would be laughable if it wasn't taking up time on my answering machine.
This is a Pakistan or India based IRS scam. Do not fall for this.
Read http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/press/press_tigta-2014-03.htm
The IRS does not initiate any legal action via phone. The scammers use voice over IP lines (e.g. magicjack (Ymax corporation). This is always against these companys' terms of use and can lead to termination of their contract. However only law enforcement can initiate the contact if you yourself are not a customer. Therefore, report it also to your local law enforcement agency. Ultimately this is a case for the FBI legal attache in Islamabad or New Delhi. If you are really annoyed: call or write to your representative in Congress. As these scams happen all over the country maybe this will trigger a reaction (and the NSA can finally be a force for good).
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.