IRS: Taxpayers have lost $23 million as a result of scams; here's what you shouldn't do



MILWAUKEE -- The IRS continues to warn consumers to guard against scam phone calls from thieves intent on stealing their money or their identity. Criminals pose as the IRS to trick victims out of their money or personal information.

Here are several tips to help you avoid being a victim of these scams:


    The IRS will not:


      If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do:


        If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax:


          Phone scams first tried to sting older people, new immigrants to the U.S. and those who speak English as a second language. Now the crooks try to swindle just about anyone. And they’ve ripped-off people in every state in the nation.

          Stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more, visit “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” on IRS.gov.

          Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.