I donāt normally do big dramatic posts like this but the scariest shit happened to me today, so pay attention friends in America, because IRS Scams are happening.Ā
I was at work today, and get a call from a Washington number, i answered and it was recording telling me to call the number back, this is a final notice from the IRS. Well, naturally, that got my attention.Ā
I call the number, and a woman answers, says her name is Ashley Johnson. She tells me iām being sued by the IRS for tax fraud and that there is a warrant put for my arrest. That DEFINITELY got my attention.Ā
I ask how is that possible? She tells me from the years of 2008-2012, my taxes were filed incorrectly, which has resulted in my owing the IRS over 6,000 dollars. I ask how this can be a final notice because I never received any correspondence from them. She then reads me my address, asks me to confirm it, and tells me 3 letters had been sent to my place of residence.Ā
I NEED TO POINT OUT HERE, I DID NOT GIVE HER MY ADDRESS. SHE ALREADY HAD IT.Ā
I tell her Iām genuinely confused about how this could possibly be happening, and she starts getting VERY nasty with me. She rambles off the facts sheād already presented to me again, very aggressively. I respond very calmly by saying that Iām being very receptive to what she is saying, Iām not being argumentative at all, and I just want to resolve this issue, that I donāt appreciate the way she is talking to me when Iām cooperating.Ā
She responds by informing me, again, that there is a warrant out for my arrest.Ā
I ask about a payment plan. My friendās ex boyfriend had owed back taxes, and they set him up with a plan, so I knew it was an option. She says, yes, we can set that up. How much can you pay right now.Ā
I tell her I canāt pay anything right now, that I literally Iāve paycheck to paycheck and the soonest I could have any money at all is in two weeks when I get paid again. She tells me if I donāt pay 1,000 dollars right now she will send a deputy to arrest me.Ā
She asks if I have a credit card, I respond no. She asks how much money is in my savings account, and I respond by telling her I donāt have one, that Iām not trying to be difficult but I literally donāt have anything to give her. She gets very nasty with me again.Ā
At this point Iāve informed my coworker what is going on, and the woman she was ringing up at the register over heard.Ā
Back on the phone, I tell the woman once again Iām really trying to work with her and I donāt appreciate her speaking to me the way she is.Ā
At this point the customer and my coworker walk over. The customer tells me its a scam, donāt tell them anything. My coworker takes the phone from, and proceeds to tell the woman on the other line sheās my mother, and begins in on a conversation with her.Ā
From what I could hear, sheās being very nasty to my coworker as well, who is now demanding that the letters that were sent to my house be faxed to us immediately. My coworker finally says that she thinks this is a scam, that they canāt send anyone to arrest me. The woman on the other line finally hangs up on my coworker, and i promptly burst into tears.Ā
LISTEN TO ME. THE IRS WILL NEVER CALL YOU DEMANDING MONEY OVER THE PHONE. THEY WILL NOT DEMAND MONEY WITHOUT SENDING YOU A BILL FIRST. THEY WILL NOT ASK FOR YOUR CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE.
THEY WILL NOT THREATEN TO ARREST YOU.Ā
This is serious guys. Everyone take warning. Reblog this. Spread the word.
Friends with anxiety and or anyone prone to panic attacks, do not let them get to you. I spent the rest of the day having an anxiety attack, because some seriously terrible human beings were trying to do something truly terrible.Ā
Hereās a link to the IRS page that warns about scamming, and how to be on the lookout:Ā
https://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Urges-Public-to-Stay-Alert-for-Scam-Phone-Calls
Thereās a link on this site to follow to report a scam if it happens to you.
DO NOT GIVE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OUT. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD INFO.
