Did You Get a Call from the IRS?

Last week, I received an unusual call on my cell phone. Upon answering, an automated message played, stating that it was the Internal Revenue Service and that they would arrest me if I did not pay them money over the phone for past tax obligations. I don’t owe the IRS any money and knew it was a scam.

I had already learned about the IRS tax scam. A couple of years ago, I met a lady who had paid ten thousand dollars over the phone in VISA prepaid cards. Her money was gone and there was nothing she could do about getting her money back. I have heard of others who had received the same IRS collection calls.

Yesterday, the police in India arrested 70 call-center workers on suspicion of tricking US citizens into sending them money by posing as U.S. tax officials. Last year, the Pennsylvania man who helped coordinate a fraud in which India-based callers preyed on vulnerable Americans by pretending to be U.S. government agents was sentenced to 14-1/2 years in prison. For more on this IRS scam, see https://www.yahoo.com/news/india-arrests-70-call-center-workers-accused-duping-185411008.html

Fortunately, most people were not tricked when they received the unusual call from people posing as IRS collectors. Instead, many hung up the phone and either called the IRS directly or called an attorney for advice. They learned the truth by going to a professional.

Unfortunately, though, many millions of Americans actually do owe money to the IRS. And worse, many of these people are not doing anything about it, thinking that their IRS obligations will simply go away. This is typically not the case. Others have called the IRS directly, thinking that the IRS worker is their friend and sometimes enter into unfavorable repayment terms. Over the past number of years, I’ve worked with many creditors. The IRS can be one of the most difficult creditors with whom to work.

Contact a Tax Attorney

If you or anyone you know is worried about the debt owed to the Internal Revenue Service, feel free to call one of our tax attorneys at Pearson Butler law. We have attorneys who have worked with clients struggling with tax debt. Our attorney consultations are free and the advice can be priceless. To meet with an attorney regarding tax debt, call our main office at (800) 265-2314.