IRS Scam Hits Artists

There seems to be a number of art fair artists getting phone calls allegedly from the IRS saying that they owe money and that they are going to be prosecuted. They seem to be getting our numbers from social media. You may have gotten one or several within the last few days. It is a scam. I never answer the phone when I don't know who is calling but the one I got left a digital voice mail message, which is a clue right there that it was a scam.

Also, after a show, I get a number of unwanted calls. I think it's because I pass out cards to anyone who asks for one. Again, I never answer a number I don't know. If it is important they should leave a voice mail message. I know the state of Texas sells your info to data minors when you get a tax license, which should be illegal in my opinion and is a real nuisance.

There are apps that either block the known spam calls or at least will tell you if the number is real or not. Two that I know about are Mr Number and True Call. They are both free. I downloaded Mr Number after I got a call from the IRS, which told me it was a scam phone number. They both get good ratings and are both free.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/28/guess-what-thats-not-the-irs-calling.html

Thanks for the info, particularly the apps. I seem to be on the call list for "Microsoft Customer Service" and Rachel's replacement for "Card Member Services", and those apps can save me some aggravation. The " Microsoft" calls change phone numbers all the time, but are instantly recognizable once they start speaking. Card Member Services is a pre-recorded message that also changes their number all the time. Both are nuisances and the apps you mention are a good way to save time.

The thing that everyone should remember is that the IRS never calls on the phone and makes contact by mail, and usually is by certified mail. There is a mail scam going where some purported toll road agency sends a letter claiming you owe $10-$25 for a toll booth you blew past without paying. Those promptly go to File 13, aka round file, where they belong. Be suspicious always :-)

Replies

greta anthony July 17, 2016 at 6:37am

The irs will never call they send letters.
Richard L. Sherer July 13, 2016 at 11:07pm

From what I read in Douglas Co., CO neighborhood reports, everyone gets all of these by phone or email. My latest email was from a United Nations Reo. who wanted to give me some "surplus $500,000.00" LOL
Robert Wallis July 13, 2016 at 7:18pm

Thanks for the info, particularly the apps. I seem to be on the call list for "Microsoft Customer Service" and Rachel's replacement for "Card Member Services", and those apps can save me some aggravation. The " Microsoft" calls change phone numbers all the time, but are instantly recognizable once they start speaking. Card Member Services is a pre-recorded message that also changes their number all the time. Both are nuisances and the apps you mention are a good way to save time.

The thing that everyone should remember is that the IRS never calls on the phone and makes contact by mail, and usually is by certified mail. There is a mail scam going where some purported toll road agency sends a letter claiming you owe $10-$25 for a toll booth you blew past without paying. Those promptly go to File 13, aka round file, where they belong. Be suspicious always :-)

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