While many types of scams occur throughout the year, we generally see a spike in IRS scams during the primary filing season of January through April. IRS scams typically occur when an imposter pretending to work for the IRS contacts an individual by phone, e-mail, or text and attempts to entice quick action by informing the individual of an unpaid personal or business tax liability that needs to be paid immediately with a debit or credit card, or wire transfer. The e-mail or text message may also require the verification of personal or business information by clicking a hyperlink that ultimately leads to a fraudulent form or website.
It is critical to note that the IRS will always contact you or your business by mail before calling about a tax issue. Additionally, business will never be conducted via text. Also, be highly suspicious of any threats of arrest or swift legal action as the IRS will not threaten you with these tactics for not paying a tax bill – there is a process.
It is important to share this information and educate your employees on how to recognize and manage threats of this nature as they are often your company’s first line of defense.
For more information on how to protect your company from cyber threats, visit www.irs.gov and search Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.