the number called me three times within three hours and left no voicemail. When i finally got a hold of someone the speaker had a thick indian accent and began asking for my phone number before telling me any information. after asking him a few times what the call was in reference to he said something about an IRS lawsuit and asked if i knew about it. I said and didnt and he proceeded to ask for my name.
I told him i wouldnt tell him any more information and if he was calling about a lawsuit he would have information on file, so i asked again what the call was in reference to and what information he had.
he then paused and mumbled something, told me not to worry about it and hung up.
out of sheer boredom i called back repeatedly within 5 minutes and no one picked up.
ill continue to call this number back to try and fish more information about them and their goals hopefully to help people not get scammed. I would assume posing as an IRS related laqsuit after name they would have asked, address, followed by social security number.
the number called me three times within three hours and left no voicemail. When i finally got a hold of someone the speaker had a thick indian accent and began asking for my phone number before telling me any information. after asking him a few times what the call was in reference to he said something about an IRS lawsuit and asked if i knew about it. I said and didnt and he proceeded to ask for my name.
I told him i wouldnt tell him any more information and if he was calling about a lawsuit he would have information on file, so i asked again what the call was in reference to and what information he had.
he then paused and mumbled something, told me not to worry about it and hung up.
out of sheer boredom i called back repeatedly within 5 minutes and no one picked up.
ill continue to call this number back to try and fish more information about them and their goals hopefully to help people not get scammed. I would assume posing as an IRS related laqsuit after name they would have asked, address, followed by social security number.
This is a Pakistan or India based IRS scam. Do not fall for this. The IRS does not initiate any legal action via phone.
Read http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/press/press_tigta-2014-03.htm
There are a few things you can do:
1) Report it to TIGTA under http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
2) Help kill their phone lines. The scammers use voice over IP lines (e.g. magicjack (Ymax corporation)) to make it seem as if they are calling from the US. 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.
3) Ultimately this is a case for the FBI legal attache in Islamabad or New Delhi. So 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 provide US law enforcement agencies the political backing and the resources they need to work in India and Pakistan with local authorities. Such a task force has already been set up in Jamaica to nab scammers there (see http://www.ice.gov/doclib/news/library/reports/cornerstone/cornerstone7-1.pdf). It can happen on the subcontinent as well if you only take a little time to write and voice your anger. 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 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 just received the same type of call from the same number (202)241-2589. It was someone with a very heavy accent as well. Said his name was Oscar and that if I knew about an IRS lawsuit. I told him I would call the IRS directly to find out what was going on and he said to call him back. I told him I didn't have to do anything and hung up.
He called me back and I told him that he was a scam and hung up on him
Just got this call from 2022412506. Same thing. Yell at them not to call my number with their [***] scam again or i would hunt them down myself and lock them up. Told them I was turning the number into the FBI. Also called back repeated left a few not so nice voice mails. Damn scammers. I can barely live now let alone if I was ignorant enough to fall for this crap.