Scammers are at it again, trying to steal your hard-earned money by claiming to be from the IRS. We have gathered current scams to help you identify fraud.

Common Lead Lines

The following are some of the common lead lines you’ll find in an IRS scam:

• Your identity was stolen, and to fix it, you need to purchase gift cards.
• The bureau of tax enforcement is putting a levy or lien on your assets.
• The FDIC wants your bank information.
• Your Social Security Number is being canceled.
• You must pay a fee to get your stimulus check.
• Use this form to provide us personal information.
• If you don’t call us back, we’ll have you arrested.
• Click here to read about your tax refund.
• Click here to be taken to your tax transcript.
• The Taxpayer Advocate Service requires some information from you.
• We have an FBI survey we’d like you to take.

Also, be wary of any tax preparer refusing to sign the return they prepare for you. They need a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number to prepare your taxes legitimately.

Ways to Detect Impersonations and Scams

Scammers often betray themselves with the same tell-tale signs, among the most prevalent being these:

• They contact you on social media.
• They email or text you.
• They call you first.
• They leave a prerecorded voicemail.
• They tell you you’re going to get your driver’s license revoked or be deported or arrested.
• They send or reference a form that appears nowhere on the IRS site.
• They want you to give a credit or debit card number over the phone.
• They ask you to pay them in gift cards or prepaid debit cards.

How to Avoid IRS Scammers

To avoid IRS scammers, hang up on unfamiliar calls. The IRS will never call you demanding money. Protect your Social Security Number and beware of ghost preparers.

Scott Boyar, CPA, wants you to know that common IRS scams have certain common characteristics: they claim to be from the government, contain a link or an attachment, or both have a misleading URL that resembles the one they are pretending to be. Scammers will even hack people’s email accounts for email platforms to show them as “off” emails from friends. To avoid common IRS scams, protect your assets, use the internet and email security features, and speak with a CPA. For the best CPA in Charlotte NC, to help you avoid common IRS scams, Scott Boyar is one of the Charlotte tax accountants who’s got your back.