Timothy Holdiness: Protect Our Seniors: Crack Down on IRS Impersonation Scams (2024)

As part of ongoing efforts to safeguard our senior community, the IRS recently issued a warning about a surge in impersonation scams targeting older adults in Mississippi and across the nation. These fraudsters, pretending to be government officials, aim to steal sensitive personal information and money by exploiting fear and deceit.

"Scammers often target seniors, attempting to steal personal information through phone calls, emails, or text messages by pretending to be from the IRS or other agencies or businesses," said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. "Preventing these types of scams requires assistance from many different places. By partnering with other federal agencies and others in the tax community, we can reach more seniors and other taxpayers to help protect them against these terrible scams."

This effort is part of a broader initiative leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on Saturday, June 15. Since its start in 2006, WEAAD has aimed to bring attention to the neglect and abuse faced by millions of older adults, emphasizing the cultural, social, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to these issues.

The IRS has long been committed to combating scams and identity theft through initiatives like the Security Summit partnership, established in 2015, which brings together the IRS, state tax agencies, and the nation's tax professional community.

There is a disturbing trend where scammers increasingly target unsuspecting seniors by masquerading as IRS agents. Victims are pressured into making immediate payments through unconventional methods such as gift cards or wire transfers, all under the guise of resolving fictitious tax liabilities or securing false refunds.

These scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using tactics like manipulating caller IDs to appear legitimate. Here are some common schemes they use:

Impersonating Known Entities:

Fraudsters pose as representatives from government agencies, including the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare, or familiar businesses and charities. They spoof caller IDs to deceive victims into believing they are receiving legitimate communications.

Claims of Problems or Prizes:

Scammers create urgent scenarios, such as claiming you have outstanding debts or have won significant prizes. Victims might be falsely informed that they owe the IRS money, are owed a tax refund, need to verify accounts, or must pay fees to claim non-existent lottery winnings.

Pressure for Immediate Action:

These deceitful actors create a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action without giving time for reflection. They use threats of arrest, deportation, license suspension, or even computer viruses to coerce quick compliance.

Specified Payment Methods:

To complicate traceability, scammers insist on unconventional payment methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, payment apps, or gift cards. They often require victims to provide sensitive information, such as gift card numbers.

If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and you haven’t received any mail from the IRS about any issues, hang up immediately. The call is likely from a scammer. Don't call back using the number they provide or the one displayed on your caller ID. If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of IRS communications, you can contact IRS customer service for verification at 800-829-1040, or for the hearing impaired, TTY/TDD 800-829-4059.

To check details about your tax account, you can set up or check your IRS individual online account on IRS.gov. Scammers also use emails and texts to steal personal information by posing as IRS representatives. Remember, the IRS does not initiate contact via email, text, or social media regarding tax bills or refunds.

If you receive a suspicious call or electronic message, report it by visiting the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s Hotline page and using an IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form, or by calling 800-366-4484. Forms to report different types of fraud are available on the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration website.

Key points to remember include knowing how the IRS contacts taxpayers, which is usually through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. The IRS will never demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. If taxes are owed, the IRS will send a bill by mail first. They will never threaten to involve local police or other law enforcement agencies and will never demand payment without allowing opportunities to dispute or appeal the amount owed. They will also never request credit, debit, or gift card numbers over the phone.

Being vigilant and informed about these scams can help protect you from financial loss and identity theft. The IRS and other federal agencies urge everyone to be cautious, especially when dealing with unsolicited communications about taxes.

In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice introduced the National Elder Fraud Hotline to address fraud targeting elderly Americans and support affected individuals. If you have fallen victim to elder fraud, you can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). The hotline operates Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, and services are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.

Let’s work together to protect our senior community from these unscrupulous criminals and ensure they are informed, vigilant, and safe.

Timothy Holdiness is the publisher of The Newton County Appeal, a weekly newspaper and website that covers Newton County, Mississippi.

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