As small businesses prepare for end-of-year tax filings, some have found themselves targets of a phone scam. Callers claiming to be representatives from the Internal Revenue Service demand instant payment for back taxes, threatening jail, deportation or suspension of driver’s licenses.
“This is totally bogus,” said accountant Alvin Reagan, president of Bowman & Reagan, CPA, in Corpus Christi. “The IRS does NOT collect money over the phone. They send you letters.”
Some callers threaten that the local police will soon be at their door with a warrant for their arrest unless they wire money immediately.
“Another thing, the IRS does not EVER use local law enforcement,” Reagan continued. “They don’t need to. They want you to keep working. The idea that someone would show up at your door and take you to prison is ludicrous. Their job is to collect money, which they can’t do if you are not working.”
The scammers tend to target people who really do owe the IRS, but not necessarily. They also target the elderly or people who are free with personal information on social media.
One example Reagan gave is someone who posted about buying a new boat. The scammer said he knew about the boat, and if he could afford a boat, he could pay his taxes. Said Reagan, the IRS doesn’t know whether you just bought a boat.
Anyone demanding an instant electronic payment to stay out of trouble is not legitimate, Reagan said.
“These people can be aggressive,” he said. “They will try to bully you. Don’t stay on the phone with them. Hang up.”
Another scam encourages people to put their money into trusts or corporations with the promise that they will not have to pay taxes on it. The money is never seen again.
“It’s best to follow the old rule: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is,” Reagan said.
The Corpus Christi Police Department sent out a media release in November warning residents of an increase of these calls in the area. Anyone who has given money to these callers should call the police on the non-emergency line at (361) 886-2600.
Bowman & Reagan has been in business in Corpus Christi for 20 years. It is located at 1801 S. Alameda, Suite 200. Call (361) 888-7700 for more information.
Phone scams target local residents
The elderly are often targets of phone scams, including one that his Corpus Christi in late 2015. Callers pretend to be from the IRS and demand payment in back taxes immediately. Hang up, says the Corpus Christi Police Department, and never give your personal information over the phone.