Taxes 2023: How To Protect Yourself From the Rise in 'Vishing' Scams

Taxes / FilingMan with laptop calling on phone at home office stock photo

dolgachov / iStock.com Tax season is a time when scams can be rampant. Scammers are all too eager to feed on tax-related anxieties and extract sensitive information from unassuming taxpayers by pretending to be a member of the IRS.

And this year, there’s a new type of scam to be aware of: “vishing.” Check Out: 5 Presidents Who Raised Taxes the Most, and 5 Who Lowered Them
More: 3 Signs You’re Serious About Raising Your Credit Score “Vishing” is short for “voice phishing” and refers to the use of phone calls to scam people, as opposed to using text or email.

This type of scam is on the rise in 2023, The Street reported. Fortunately, educating yourself about these schemes can be an effective defense. Here’s what you need to know about vishing scams to protect yourself from becoming a potential victim.

Beware of the Common ‘IRS’ Vishing Scams

Scammers impersonating the IRS will create a sense of urgency with their phone calls, and will try to extract either payment or sensitive information from the victim.

John Wilson, senior fellow of threat research at Fortra, a cybersecurity software and services provider, describes a common vishing phone call you may receive during tax season: “A caller, supposedly from the IRS, says there’s been some sort of legal action involving your Social Security number, and they’ll send agents to your home unless you provide money to correct it.” Alternatively, they may say there is an issue with your tax refund, and ask for your personal information to resolve the issue. “They will insist on cooperation with their request, and [say that] any noncompliance may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, or other fines and penalties,” said Rob Burnette, professional tax preparer at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio. “The problem may be with a tax identification number, a bank [account number] or other personal information that is found on a tax return.

Some of your information may be already in the hands of the scammer, and they are trying to fill in gaps for their scam today and for future identity theft attempts.” Take Our Poll: What Do You Plan To Use Your Tax Refund For?

Be Skeptical of Any Phone Call That Claims To Be From the IRS

When you receive a phone call from someone purporting to be from the IRS, your first instinct may be to panic, which can cloud your ability to assess whether the call is legit or not. “If you get a call from someone claiming to be the IRS, start by assuming it is fake,” said Herman “Tommy” Thompson Jr., a certified financial planner with Innovative Financial Group in Atlanta. “The IRS sends you letters in the mail and makes you sit on hold when you call.

IRS agents could call you, but it’s most likely not the IRS calling you.” You should be especially skeptical if the caller asks for any sort of payment over the phone. “The IRS may ask for payment of an overdue bill via letter, but they will never ask for payment to anything other than the United States Treasury,” Thompson said.

Other red flags include asking for payment via a gift card or threatening arrest. “The IRS does not accept gift cards, crypto, PayPal, Venmo or any other digital transfer outside of the IRS.gov website,” Thompson said. “IRS agents will not get aggressive and threaten to call the cops. They also can’t negotiate a settlement in five minutes, [such as making an] offer to satisfy your £2,500 debt for a £500 payment today.”

Your Best Defense Is Not Answering the Call in the First Place

“The scams evolve over time, but the defense remains the same: If you don’t recognize the number on your caller ID, let it go to voicemail,” Thompson said.

You can then go online to check if others have reported getting suspicious calls from that number “If it really is the IRS, you can call them back at the phone number on IRS.gov,” Thompson said. If you do answer the phone, do not share any sensitive information.

“Don’t ever give away your Social Security number, bank account information or security words over the phone,” Thompson said. “Assume the person on the other end of the line is a scammer before you ever trust an unsolicited phone call from the IRS.” Fortra’s Wilson recommends implementing a spam blocker on your phone. “Telecom providers and consumer apps can help block or flag numbers likely to generate spam calls,” he said. “There’s also the government’s Do Not Call Registry, which can help you avoid telemarketers — though scammers aren’t likely to play by the rules.

But registering could keep you off some phone lists used by fraudsters.” If you do receive a phone call from someone pretending to be from the IRS, report the call to the appropriate authorities. “Contact the Federal Communications Commission if you receive calls that seem fraudulent, and alert the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center if you incur a financial loss related to vishing,” Wilson said.

More From GOBankingRates

Share This Article:

costa-coffee listed on couponmatrix.uklentiamo listed on couponmatrix.ukpaddy-power-sportsbook listed on couponmatrix.uksize listed on couponmatrix.ukthe-book-of-everyone listed on couponmatrix.uktoucanbox listed on couponmatrix.uk
costa-coffee listed on couponmatrix.ukIs there anything better than a good cup of coffee? Like a little hug in a mug, a nice coffee can turn a bad day into a good day in just a few quick sips, and nobody does coffee better than Costa. If you’re after a delicious deal on an incredible coffee then check out our Costa vouchers and see if you can’t just save a pretty penny on your favourite hot beverage. Whether you love a latte or crave a cappuccino, Costa has you covered.
lentiamo listed on couponmatrix.ukFor all your eyewear and contact lens needs, visit Lentiamo for high quality, trustworthy products. Pick up daily use, wearable lenses from weekly to monthly packs, to make stocking up as easy as pie, or grab a top up of lens solution. From your favourite brands to different styles of lenses, Lentiamo provide the best and most comfortable eyewear, whatever your prescription. Use a Lentiamo discount code and you'll get prices that anyone can see are a good deal on all this and more.
paddy-power-sportsbook listed on couponmatrix.ukWhen the rewards are high and you’re on a hot streak, there’s no place like Paddy Power to place a bet. As one of the top gambling sites in the UK, running odds on everything from horse racing to politics. Make the most of a Paddy Power promo code and you could win even bigger on your next wager! Packed with lotteries, sports, cards and casino games to suit every kind of betting man, all are welcome to try their luck at Paddy Power.
size listed on couponmatrix.ukAs part of the JD Sports group and launched in the year 2000, Size? has grown to be recognised in its own right and is now one of the leading high street stores and online suppliers of the best footwear brands, apparel and accessories. Discover trending women's boots, men's shoes and more for less using your Size discount code today and turn your footwear fashion sense up a notch. Not only has Size? expanded to include stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, they have also been able to release a number of worldwide exclusives. With a growing reputation for being the place to shop for quality, we are proud to be able to offer Size? goods for less right here at Groupon.
the-book-of-everyone listed on couponmatrix.ukMaking someone smile may not be the easiest thing, but The Book of Everyone sure makes it look that way. Specialising in creating bespoke books, maps, prints and videos for those who really matter, get started on the right foot and utilise our newest The Book of Everyone promo code to save on a gift that is truly unique and tailored to your person alone. So have a gander at the brands customisable options and discover hundreds of new ways to please those who mean the most to you.
toucanbox listed on couponmatrix.ukWelcome to Toucanbox, a monthly subscription service for kids ages 3-8 that delivers boxes of fun, creative projects right to your door. Bring along a Toucanbox discount code and you get off to a great start by saving on your first delivery! Each box includes all the materials and instructions needed to complete two or three unique projects, perfect for rainy days or after-school activities. There’s even a magazine in every box packed with stories, puzzles and activities to add an extra element of fun!