Don’t let grinchy scammers ruin holiday gift card giving
Taxpayers should be aware of gift card scams year-round but be especially cautious during this time of year when requests for gift cards are common. They may also use a compromised email account to send emails requesting gift card purchases for friends, family or co-workers. Since 2019, phishing@irs.gov has received over 1,000 gift card phishing emails averaging 200 per year. Most of these gift card phishing emails do not reference the IRS.
The IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.
Common holiday scams
The IRS sees a variety of scams as thieves are always changing their tactics. During the holiday season thieves could also:
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Request gift cards over the phone, sending a text message, email or social media message through a government impersonation scam.
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Pose as an IRS agent and call the taxpayer or leave a voicemail with a callback number informing the taxpayer that they are linked to some criminal activity.
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Threaten or harass the taxpayer by telling them that they must pay a fictitious tax penalty.
Criminals often ask the victim to purchase gift cards from various stores so as not to arouse suspicion with store employees. Once the taxpayer buys the gift cards, the scammer will ask the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN.
How to tell if it's really the IRS calling
Here are some tips on how to tell it’s the IRS calling. Remember the IRS will never:
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Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
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Demand that taxpayers pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they owe. All taxpayers should be aware of their rights.
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Threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers or other law enforcement to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
Threaten to revoke the taxpayer's driver's license, business licenses or immigration status.
What to do if targeted by a scam
Anyone who has been a target of a scam should contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting webpage or call 800-366-4484. Taxpayers targeted by phone scams can also report to the Federal Trade Commission or email IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
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