IRS SCAM/FRAUD ALERT - I don't normally answer out of state calls when they show up in the caller-id. If no name shows up, and only a phone number I usually wait for a message left, then I'll pick up if I recognize who is calling. This is a good habit because I've answered fraud calls in the past.
Today, I saw a Washington, D.C. number in my caller-id land line phone. I thought, since my daughter recently relocated to the D.C. area, I'd better answer. I got a message from a 202-241-0211 directing me to call a Steve Madden 949-873-8412. The message stated if I did not call him immediately, I would be flagged as avoiding a legal matter. When I called this Steve, he spoke with a fairly strong Indian accent. I introduce myself telling him about the message to call him.
He ask if he was speaking to me including my middle initial and last name. This got my attention because this Steve really sounded like I needed to be really concerned. He informed me I had directly called the U.S. Treasury department on an IRS matter dating back a few years. He stated the IRS had been trying to communicate with me for some time, and could not locate me. He explained there had been a calculated mistake made on my few years old tax-return, resulting in accumulated penalties of $4800.
I began to get upset when he said because the IRS had not been able to communicate with me on this matter, my file had been turned over to the U.S. Treasury department as a criminal matter. He told me at the completion of the call I could expect Federal Officers to show up at my door in about 45 minutes to arrest me. He prepared me I should contact a Criminal Attorney to represent me upon being arrested and taken to jail.
I began to say I don't understand. When he repeated himself, I kept saying I don't understand what you are explaining to me. I learned that trick a valued Client. When he started to get a little frustrated, I asked what information did he have on me. He spoke my name and my address. I said it is mighty funny I have had my taxes prepared by the same Tax Accountant professional for numerous years electronically, and he has not contacted me about the IRS, nor have I received any kind of various postal mail from the IRS?
I said I'm sure they well know how to contact me at home and at work. I asked so how is it my calculated error file goes straight to the U.S. Treasury department for a criminal case when I have not been served any form of due process by the IRS? This Steve began to get more frustrated trying to get me off the phone, but I started up again with I understand?
Finally, he repeated when we hang up the criminal process will be activated and the Federal Law Enforcement will be knocking on my door in about 45 minutes. Upon hanging up I call my Tax Accountant leaving a message about my telephone conversation, confirming I was on my way to his office. As I pulled out my driveway I thought, I wonder if this is a scan to get me out of my home to break in it?
I slowly drove around the block looking to see if there were any unfamiliar cars around. I proceeded to drive to my Tax Accountant's office. When I got there I interrupted an hour long webinar he was participating in. He allowed me to wait in his reception area while I used the time to call the IRS directly. The IRS agent asked my name and social security number.
She asked me to give her a minute. She came back to the call, and asked me the same request a second and a third time. She said the words I wanted to hear, "Mr. Taylor we have no business with you!" I asked her to allow me to explain my telephone experience.
She said the IRS is very aware of this latest scam. She gave me the http://tigta.gov site to file a complaint. I told her I was not presently at a computer, and did not want to go to the site with my smart phone to do this task. She gave me the 800-366-4484 number to call in a complaint; which I immediately left a detailed message. She asked if I gave this Steve any confidential information? I was touched by her concern for me. I told her I so glad I spoke with her. She chuckled. When we ended our call, I immediately dialed the number she gave me. Just as I finished the message I left, my Tax Accountant walked up to me to see why I was not my normal cool self?
After telling him my story, he stated he believed it was an act of fraud I out-smarted. He told me of another of his elderly Clients who was smart enough to call him, before she prepared to go to her ATM to get money to pay off her IRS debt to avoid going to jail. He stated he had to tell her to call the Police to see if there is a warrant issued for her arrest due to the fear she was so unfairly experiencing.
As this Steve was talking to me my imagination took me on a journey I fortunately did not have to travel. I saw myself having to go to heaven via jail because I would be all over the news reported as another Citizen shot, beaten, or killed for resisting arrest.
Moral of the story, unless I know who is calling me I planned to never answer the telephone.
I allowed myself to be greatly stressed-out over some foolishness, something I don't want any of my friends to experience.
This is why if you've read this far, please help me to make this message go viral. Please like it, comment on it, share it, and ask your friends to like it and share it. The best way to put these Fools out of business is to eliminate any future victims. Please help me to make it our business this Steve and whoever he is working for, to be put fully out of business now! Thanks!
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