As continued awareness for taxpayers, the IRS has sent out a reminder to be on the lookout for scammers and fraudulent activity throughout this tax season, specifically regarding unknown emails or phone calls. Aggressive phone scams where criminals call posed as IRS officials are a common scam throughout the year as a part of the “Dirty Dozen” list of tax-related scams. The Dirty Dozen is an annual list compiled by the IRS referencing recent scams taxpayers should be aware of.

The IRS laid out exactly how criminals execute their phone scams to keep individuals informed and prepared. Frauds will make unsolicited calls alleging to be an IRS employee, ordering their victims to pay fake tax bills. Phone scammers often intimidate their victims by threatening to revoke their license, deport or arrest them in an attempt to bully taxpayers into sending money. They may send phishing emails or leave “urgent” phone messages with callback requests as well if no one answers. If their method is effective, criminals will convince their victims to send the cash owed either via prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.

Frauds may also use the victim’s name, address or other personal information to persuade individuals of their legitimacy. To further “assure” their victims and make the call seem official, scammers can alter the caller ID number to appear like the IRS or another federal agency and reference IRS employee titles and fake badge numbers. Since October of 2013, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has been made aware of 12,716 individuals who have paid over $63 million collectively because of phone scams.

While aggressive and threatening phone calls are a popular scamming strategy used during tax season, criminals do change their tactics and employ versions of this scam year round, so taxpayers should always be alert.

As a further reminder, below are strategies used by frauds that the IRS will never use:

1. Order that taxes be paid without allowing taxpayers to appeal or question what is owed.
2. Call regarding a refund.
3. Call via phone to demand payment using a specific payment method such as wire transfer. The IRS will mail a bill first if taxes are owed.
4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
5. Threaten to include local police or other law enforcement for lack of payment.

If you receive a call and think you may owe taxes, hang up immediately and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to speak with an IRS employee. If you know you do not owe taxes or are unsure, do not supply any personal information over the phone. You should report the call to the TIGTA and the Federal Trade Commission. The TIGTA can be contacted via phone at 800-366-4484 or on their website on the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting page. To contact the Federal Trade Commission, go to FTC.gov and visit the FTC Complaint Assistant page, adding “IRS Telephone Scam” to your notes.