[ale] LT: IRS scams peaking now

[Bob Toxen]

Off topic:

IRS scams peaking now.  Expect phone calls and spam claiming to be from
the IRS claiming either threat of arrest or "a suit is being filed",
etc.

If you respond, the criminal will demand money from you via credit card,
ACH transfer by asking for your bank account number, etc.

Do NOT respond!

The IRS virtually NEVER contacts you by other paper mail and certainly
not by email.  That paper mail will include your social security number
and very specific details about the issue, usually your tax return,
indicating the year type of return (1040, 1040-EZ, etc) and a particular
item they are disputing.

With most outfits I'd suggest contacting them directly.  Unfortunately,
the IRS is so incompetent that they rarely answer their phone and you
cannot even meet in person with the local office (Doraville) without an
appointment.


If there really is a risk of the IRS taking your money or won't listen
to reason (common), contact your U.S. Congressperson or U.S. Senator
by phone,  Besides usually solving the problem, as soon as he or she
starts investigating, the IRS is prohibited from taking action during
the investigation.

Bob Toxen
bob at verysecurelinux.com               [Please use for email to me]
http://www.verysecurelinux.com        [Network&Linux security consulting]
http://www.realworldlinuxsecurity.com [My book:"Real World Linux Security 2/e"]

"One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring
them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond where
the shadows lie...and the Eye is everwatching"
-- The Silicon Valley Tarot Henrique Holschuh with ... Bob