Hawley warns Missouri residents of IRS phone scams and tax identity fraud theft

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley reminded taxpayers to be wary of telephone and email scams throughout tax season.

“During tax season, my office sees a rise in complaints from consumers regarding phone calls that threaten consumers with arrest and other consequences for allegedly failing to pay a tax bill,” Hawley said. “Be alert this tax season.”

Hawley said scammers typically act like IRS agents and they demand the victim to pay a tax bill. Scammers try to get the victim to pay cash, usually through a wire transfer or a prepaid debit or gift card. Typically there will be substantial threats to try and intimidate the victim.

Hawley also said scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS or another government agency is calling.

Tax identity theft also increases during tax season. Suspects use a taxpayer’s stolen identity to file a fraudulent return and then claim the refund in the consumer’s name.

The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment or threaten to bring in police.

Hawley advises residents to file taxes as early as possible and to never give out personal information to strangers.

For more information on identity theft and tax fraud identity theft, click here.