The "Tax Mediation Support Office", also called "Tax Relief/Resolution Agency", is a scam designed to steal money and personal information via phishing calls and emails. Scammers pose as IRS agents or "tax mediators" threatening immediate action (arrest, seizure) to trick victims into paying illegal upfront fees.
How to Identify the Scam
- Initial Contact: They call unexpectedly or leave urgent, often pre-recorded voicemails about "unresolved" tax issues.
- Threats: They threaten imminent seizure of assets, tax liens, or arrest.
- Demands: They demand immediate payment, often via gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid cards, which the IRS never does.
- False Urgency: They claim a limited time to settle debts for "pennies on the dollar".
What to Do
- Hang up immediately: Do not interact with the caller.
- Verify independently: If you suspect you owe taxes, go directly to the official IRS website or call them directly at 800-829-1040.
- Report the scam: Forward phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov and report calls to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
- Do not provide information: Never give personal, financial, or tax information over the phone to an unsolicited caller.
The IRS initiates contact through official mail, not phone calls, and does not use "mediation" services to contact taxpayers.