IRS AUDIT SCAM

Watch out for this one.

I got a message on my answering machine and the individual said he was Special Agent Easerly form the IRS.  And we want to make an appointment to goes over my taxes for the last 4 years.  It first it seemed very real and I felt a little concerned by the call.  But when I played the message back a few times I noticed a few things that really didn't seem right.  Number one on my answering machine I just give our last name, and his message was not to Mr.... or first name last name, just the last name.  I did not think the IRS would call my home and leave a message stating just my last name.  The next item I check the "Caller ID" and it said the call was from the US Government.  But I called the number which turned out to be an US Air Force Base (lodging facility) in Phoenix, AZ.  I asked for Special Agent Easerly.  And guess what no one registered there by that name.  I told the operator of the call and it came from this number.  She said every every call that goes out of the hotel (from any room or phone in the hotel) would show this number.

Now I knew this was a scam and I wanted to catch them.  I could just picture them calling people and offering to settle big tax bills for a fraction of the amount they would be making up.  But by calling from the Base they knew it would show up on caller ID's this way.  I knew it was very well thought out and I wanted to catch them real bad.  I called the IRS Fraud Hot Line.  They told me it was just probably a friend playing a trick on me.  But if it happened again to call back.  Well about a week later it happened again (not home so they left another message).  This time they said they wanted to see only the last 3 years of taxed.  They were eager to get together and "were sure we could work out something".  I called the IRS Fraud Hot Line again and this time the woman told me she could not do anything without the callers Social Security Number.  I explained this was a scam and I didn't think they would leave or give me their SS#.   She confirmed there was nothing she could do if I could not supply their Social Security Number.

Well now I was really frustrated.  So I called News 12 Call For Action and they did not return my call.  After a few more days I sent them an email (explaining the whole thing to them...as I did in voice mail).  They replied to email saying they were very interested and would call me.  Well it's been 4 months and they have not called either.

Bottom line they caller never called back.  But you can see they could have taken this several ways.  Anything from just trying to get some bucks out of me to just getting my Social Security Number. 

SO BE CAREFUL.  AND NEVER GIVE ANY SUCH INFORMATION TO ANYONE CALLING YOU ON THE PHONE...NO MATTER WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE.  THE IRS DID CONFIRM TO ME THEY DO NOT CONTACT YOU FOR AUDITS VIA PHONE...THE SENT LETTERS.