"You get a little freaked out:" Taxpayers, beware! It's not the IRS calling; it's a scam



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Taxpayers, beware! Scammers are looking to cash in on your hard-earned money! FOX6 News spoke with a woman who wouldn't fall for it, and she says she hopes you won't either.

Last Friday, February 20th, Lisa Shaw got a phone call.

"And he said 'well, I'm from the IRS and I'm calling to tell you that you've been audited for the last five years, from 2008 to 2013 and we've overpaid you in taxes," Shaw said.

Shaw was told if she didn't pay $2,988 in an hour, a federal lawsuit would be filed the next day, and on Monday, her house and car, the funds in her bank account and her driver's license would be taken away.

"He says 'well, it could all be settled if you just give me your bank account number and we can take the money.' I said 'you're threatening me.' He says 'no I'm not. I'm the IRS.' I said 'the IRS doesn't threaten,'" Shaw said.

Shaw hung up, but the man called back twice. Shaw didn't answer -- but she did look up the phone number. What she read confirmed her suspicions. The phone number that was calling her is linked to a scam.

"Just flat out saying this is a scam," Shaw said.

The number has been labeled a "spoofed number" -- meaning whoever called tricked the caller ID to display an incorrect phone number.

IRS spokesman Joe Munoz says the IRS got wind of the scam back in 2013.

"The Internal Revenue Service will never be calling anyone out of the blue.  The first (mode of contact) would be through the mail," Munoz said.

If there's an issue, the IRS will contact you in writing. They'll provide information about any requested documentation or action you need to take, and they'll include a phone number to call.

Munoz says the IRS will never ask you for a debit or credit card number.

"We will never, ever ask you to pay if it's not a check made out to the Department of the Treasury," Munoz said.

Even so, getting that telephone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS can be disconcerting.

"You get a little freaked out because you're wondering 'did I do my taxes wrong?'" Shaw said.

Chances are, if it didn't sometimes work, scammers wouldn't keep doing it, so if you've fallen victim to this scam, you're encouraged to contact the IRS and the Treasury Inspector General.

IRS telephone number: 1-800-829-1040

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration telephone number: 1-800-366-4484