Posted on 05/31/2014 4:12:41 PM PDT by Vinylly
We have gotten two recorded messages from Wash. D.C. (Fri. Sat.). They say they are the IRS, not to ignore their message and call this number-----------. The phone number they called from was (202)241-2158. We're afraid to call the number because it might be some kind of scam. We've always paid our taxes in a timely manner with an accountant. Seems like if we were to be audited we would get a letter from our local Seattle IRS office. Has anyone else received such phone calls?
could be the credit card phishing scam
And anybody can spoof a 202 area code.
Here’s one offering a government grant of $9,000; I told them it was a scam and to get lost. I still had the number on my phone so looked it up:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-202-456-7890
Same MO as others who responded.
I had a call from “Microsoft’s Virus Detection Team” that they had received an error code from my computer that it had a virus. I told the scammers to go away.
I just had to call the IRS on some unpaid 941 taxes and agree - the gal was very friendly and helpful. I told her that I would take care of things and already had one form filled out and the check written. And then said “Just so I can put something in the computer to say we talked, do you think you can get the other ones filled out and paid within 30 days?”
From the tone of the letters “...late payments may be deemed a criminal offense subject to fines or imprisonment” it was a surprise.
IRS only communicates by letter. Especially the first contact. The agent handling the case may give you a contact number to call. First contact by phone, NEVER.
Whenever you get a call like that, Google the number.
I got a call from the FBI once.
Agent 001, Bob. LOL
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
I got a call from FBI (about 40 years ago) and treated it kind of ‘off handed’.
Got a 2nd call and took the advice from my ‘drinking buddys’ that FBI would never call, they would just show up.
In days before Caller ID etc one tended to answer the phone when it rang.
Finally, on 3rd call I gave a wise crack about not having time for their ‘foolishness’ and was (not so) politely told I was being given the benefit of the doubt and courtesy call(s) and if I was unable to find time for them, THEY would assist in clearing my schedule up with Subpoenas etc.
I showed up at the suggested time (at a Hot Shoppes) and met with 2 Agents who claimed I had been observed talking to some people they thought I shouldn’t have been talking to. I was ready to become a ‘Double Agent’ and was so enthusiastic about it that I was dropped from all consideration.
They were for ‘real’ and they were ‘correct’ even though mine was just a casual meeting or two at a local bar we had been going to for years, had a conversation one night and it took off from there....
Thanks everybody, this has really put our minds at ease. We never returned their call because we were suspicious and apparently they have been getting around.
It is a scam. If you go to the Infernal Revenue Service’s website, you will see that they only contact taxpayers by mail and that any calls you get are from scammers.
What everyone else said... scam. Don’t wait for a letter all anxious either.
“This message is intended for you. You or your retained attorney must respond. This is Officer Hada Grey of the Internal Revenue Service. My number is 202-241-2158. I repeat, 202-241-2158. Return this call before we take any legal action against you.”
It’s bogus.
How can you call them back if they don’t leave the actual number?
Would love to see someone play with the trolls by scamming them. This could be fun. They would inform the scammers that they actually work for the IRS or the FBI. Lets see how fast they would hang up.
a visit to the nearest IRS office might be in order
I agree totally with this statement. However, if you got audited it would NOT be from your local office. In SE WI I think the office that does us is in Kansas City. They do not audit locally for fear that the agent might know the target. At least they used to do it that way. This is what my brother told me and he is a former IRS agent.
They don’t need a warrant. They can take anything they want and you have to prove it was unwarranted.
They can come into your home and take everything, including the clothes off your back.
Report the calls to the real IRS here:
IRS: http://www.irs.gov/
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing
phishing@irs.gov
http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-8c2f64bf2b91fa5/irs-warns-of-telephone-scam
•You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.
Call them back and tell them to call your lawyer at 867-5309.
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