Don't Let Scammers Ruin Holiday Gift Card Giving
Taxpayers should watch out for gift card scams especially during the holiday season. The IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.
Common Holiday Scams
Scammers may try to trick taxpayers into falling for a gift card scam. With this scam, criminals may impersonate government or collections officials and send official-looking requests for gift cards to resolve an outstanding debt or issue.
How to Tell if it's Really the IRS
The IRS will never:
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.
Demand that taxpayers pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they owe.
Threaten to bring in the 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 license, 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.
This document is designed for general information only. The information presented in this document should not be construed to be formal legal or tax advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
For more information on this and other topics, please contact Kevin via any of the channels listed below:
📧 kevin@kmckernan.com | 📞 718-317-5007