As the 2014 tax filing season progresses the Internal Revenue Service has issued warnings to taxpayers about convincing fraudulent email messages and telephone calls seeking payments or personal information that will enable the scammer to directly or indirectly steal from the victim. All taxpayers should keep in mind that the Internal Revenue Service never initiates contact with taxpayers by email, text or social media, and never asks for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone. A taxpayer who is contacted by telephone by a person claiming to be an IRS representative should not divulge any personal information, should request a written follow-up communication and should confirm the validity of any such communication by contacting the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. The links above provide instructions for reporting suspected fraudulent activity.
