It is tax season and scammers are calling potential victims claiming they owe back taxes. If someone calls you out of the blue offering to help you fix a tax issue, hang up. The IRS’s first contact with you will always come by mail, not by phone.
A Tax Abatement Call Scam
"Good morning and happy Friday. My name is Taylor Carson from the tax review office with a tax filing mediation and abatement agency. I’m reaching out because your account is still marked for possible missed filings or outstanding issues, and our office has access to a no-wait proprietary verification line. This line allows you to connect directly and receive exact confirmation immediately, without transfers or hold times. This verification stuff is used to confirm your current status and determine whether payment adjustments, abatement options, or full balance resolution programs may still apply.
Many individuals are surprised by what they qualify for once this review is completed. The call itself is brief and focused strictly on verification. It’s simply the most direct way to get clear answers and understand what options if any remain available. Please call me back today at [phone number]. That’s [phone number] to access the verification line. If you no longer need assistance, please call back and press 2 to be removed."
It starts with an unexpected call from the “Tax Mediation and Resolution Agency,” or another official-sounding (but fake) government agency. They’ll say you haven’t paid your taxes and offer to connect you with a “Tax Abatement officer,” who can do a “red flag check” on your credit and help you apply for an “IRS liability reduction program.” But those aren’t real programs and that’s your sign to end the call. Some scammers leave a voicemail saying, “This may be our only attempt to reach you” hoping you’ll call back right away. But it’s all part of the story to steal personal information like your Social Security number — or in some cases, charge you an illegal upfront fee for tax debt relief that doesn’t actually help.
Even if you owe back taxes, know this: the IRS’s first contact with you will always come by mail, not by phone. Here’s how to avoid an IRS impersonator and get real help:
Never give an unexpected caller personal or financial information. It’s probably a scammer hoping to drain your bank accounts or steal your identity.
Check it out through IRS.gov. Contact the IRS directly for trustworthy information about your tax situation. Need to speak with someone? Only use a phone number found on the IRS’s website. Never one a scammer gives you.